Water-absorbent porous polymer particles having specific sphericity and high bulk density

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbent polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a surrounding heated gas phase and flowing the gas cocurrent through the polymerization chamber, wherein the temperature of the gas leaving the polymerization chamber is 130° C. or less, the gas velocity inside the polymerization chamber is at least 0.5 m/s, and the droplets are generated by using a droplet plate having a multitude of bores.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/316,889, filed Mar. 24, 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/239,808, filed Sep. 4, 2009, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to a process for producing water-absorbent polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a surrounding gas phase under specific conditions.

The preparation of water-absorbent polymer particles is described in the monograph “Modern Superabsorbent Polymer Technology”, F. L. Buchholz and A. T. Graham, Wiley-VCH, 1998, on pages 71 to 103.

Being products which absorb aqueous solutions, water-absorbent polymer particles are used to produce diapers, tampons, sanitary napkins and other hygiene articles, but also as water-retaining agents in market gardening. Water-absorbent polymer particles are also referred to as “superabsorbent polymers” or “superabsorbents”.

The preparation of water-absorbent polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution is described, for example, in EP 0 348 180 A1, WO 96/40427 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,980, DE 103 14 466 A1, DE 103 40 253 A1, DE 10 2004 024 437 A1, DE 10 2005 002 412 A1, DE 10 2006 001 596 A1, WO 2008/009580 A1, WO 2008/009598 A1, WO 2008/009599 A1, WO 2008/009612 A1, WO 2008/040715 A2, WO 2008/052971, and WO 2008/086976 A1.

Polymerization of monomer solution droplets in a gas phase surrounding the droplets (“dropletization polymerization”) affords round water-absorbent polymer particles of high mean sphericity (mSPHT). The mean sphericity is a measure of the roundness of the polymer particles and can be determined, for example, with the Camsizer® image analysis system (Retsch Technology GmbH; Haan; Germany). The water-absorbent polymer particles obtained by dropletization polymerization are typically hollow spheres.

It was an object of the present invention to provide water-absorbent polymer particles having improved properties, i.e. comprising water-absorbent polymer particles having a high centrifuge retention capacity (CRC), a high absorption under a load of 49.2 g/cm² (AUHL), and a superior mechanical stability.

A further objective was providing water-absorbent polymer particles having a high bulk density and a narrow particle diameter distribution.

A further objective was providing water-absorbent polymer particles having excellent dosing and conveying properties which reduces dosing variability and particle damage.

A further objective was providing water-absorbent polymer particles having excellent stability under mechanical stress conditions.

The object is achieved by a process for producing water-absorbent polymer particles by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution in a surrounding heated gas phase and flowing the gas cocurrent through the polymerization chamber, wherein the temperature of the gas leaving the polymerization chamber is 130° C. or less, the gas velocity inside the polymerization chamber is at least 0.5 m/s, and the droplets are generated by using a droplet plate having a multitude of bores.

The water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by dropletization polymerization typically have the shape of partially indented hollow spheres having one large cavity. The hollow spheres are sensitive to mechanical stress.

The present invention is based on the finding that decreasing the reaction temperature, increasing the gas velocity, and increasing the separation of the bores has a strong impact on the structure of the water-absorbent polymer particles prepared by dropletization polymerization.

The result of the specific conditions according to the process of the present invention are water-absorbent polymer particles having an increased bulk density, a narrow particle diameter distribution, several smaller cavities instead of one large cavity, and a superior mechanical stability as well as excellent dosing properties.

The present invention further provides water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention, wherein the polymer particles have a mean sphericity from 0.86 to 0.99, a bulk density of at least 0.58 g/cm³, and a average particle diameter from 250 to 550 μm, wherein the particle diameter distribution is less than 0.7 and the ratio of particles having one cavity to particles having more than one cavity is less than 1.0.

The present invention further provides fluid-absorbent articles which comprise the inventive water-absorbent polymer particles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a process scheme (with external fluidized bed);

FIG. 2 illustrates a process scheme (without external fluidized bed);

FIG. 3 illustrates an arrangement of the T_outlet measurement;

FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of the dropletizer units;

FIG. 5 illustrates a dropletizer unit (longitudinal cut);

FIG. 6 illustrates a dropletizer unit (cross sectional view);

FIG. 7 illustrates a process scheme (external thermal posttreatment and postcrosslinking);

FIG. 8 illustrates a process scheme (external thermal posttreatment, postcrosslinking and coating);

FIG. 9 shows a swollen particle of type 1 with a cavity having a diameter of 0.94 mm; and

FIG. 10 shows a swollen particle of type 2 with more than 15 cavities having diameters from less than 0.03 to 0.13 mm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Definitions

As used herein, the term “fluid-absorbent composition” refers to a component of the fluid-absorbent article which is primarily responsible for the fluid handling of the fluid-absorbent article including acquisition, transport, distribution and storage of body fluids.

As used herein, the term “fluid-absorbent core” refers to a fluid-absorbent composition comprising a fibrous material and water-absorbent polymer particles. The fluid-absorbent core is primarily responsible for the fluid handling of the fluid-absorbent article including acquisition, transport, distribution and storage of body fluids.

As used herein, the term “layer” refers to a fluid-absorbent composition whose primary dimension is along its length and width. It should be known that the term “layer” is not necessarily limited to single layers or sheets of the fluid-absorbent composition. Thus a layer can comprise laminates, composites, combinations of several sheets or webs of different materials.

As used herein, the term “x-dimension” refers to the length, and the term “y-dimension” refers to the width of the fluid-absorbent composition, layer, core or article. Generally, the term “x-y dimension” refers to the plane, orthogonal to the height or thickness of the fluid-absorbent composition, layer, core or article.

As used herein, the term “z-dimension” refers to the dimension orthogonal to the length and width of the fluid-absorbent composition, layer, core or article. Generally, the term “z-dimension” refers to the height of the fluid-absorbent composition.

As used herein, the term “chassis” refers to fluid-absorbent material comprising the upper liquid-pervious layer and the lower liquid-impervious layer.

As used herein, the term “basis weight” indicates the weight of the fluid-absorbent core per square meter and it includes the chassis of the fluid-absorbent article. The basis weight is determined at discrete regions of the fluid-absorbent core: the front overall average is the basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core 5.5 cm forward of the center of the core to the front distal edge of the core; the insult zone is the basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core 5.5 cm forward and 0.5 cm backwards of the center of the core; the back overall average is the basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core 0.5 cm backward of the center of the core to the rear distal edge of the core.

As used herein, the term “density” indicates the weight of the fluid-absorbent core per volume and it includes the chassis of the fluid-absorbent article. The density is determined at discrete regions of the fluid-absorbent core: the front overall average is the density of the fluid-absorbent core 5.5 cm forward of the center of the core to the front distal edge of the core; the insult zone is the density of the fluid-absorbent core 5.5 cm forward and 0.5 cm backwards of the center of the core; the back overall average is the density of the fluid-absorbent core 0.5 cm backward of the center of the core to the rear distal edge of the core.

Further, it should be understood, that the term “upper” refers to fluid-absorbent compositions which are nearer to the wearer of the fluid-absorbent article. Generally, the topsheet is the nearest composition to the wearer of the fluid-absorbent article, hereinafter described as “upper liquid-pervious layer”. Contrarily, the teen “lower” refers to fluid-absorbent compositions which are away from the wearer of the fluid-absorbent article. Generally, the backsheet is the composition which is furthermost away from the wearer of the fluid-absorbent article, hereinafter described as “lower liquid-impervious layer”.

As used herein, the term “liquid-pervious” refers to a substrate, layer or laminate thus permitting liquids, i.e. body fluids such as urine, menses and/or vaginal fluids to readily penetrate through its thickness.

As used herein, the term “liquid-impervious” refers to a substrate, layer or a laminate that does not allow body fluids to pass through in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the layer at the point of liquid contact under ordinary use conditions.

Fluid-absorbent articles may also comprise more than one fluid-absorbent core, in a preferred manner comprising a double-core system including an upper core and a lower core, hereinafter called “primary core” and “secondary core”.

As used herein, the term “hydrophilic” refers to the wettability of fibers by water deposited on these fibers. The term “hydrophilic” is defined by the contact angle and surface tension of the body fluids. According to the definition of Robert F. Gould in the 1964 American Chemical Society publication “Contact angle, wettability and adhesion”, a fiber is referred to as hydrophilic, when the contact angle between the liquid and the fiber, especially the fiber surface, is less than 90° or when the liquid tends to spread spontaneously on the same surface.

Contrarily, term “hydrophobic” refers to fibers showing a contact angle of greater than 90° or no spontaneously spreading of the liquid across the surface of the fiber.

As used herein, the term “section” or “zone” refers to a definite region of the fluid-absorbent composition.

As used herein, the term “article” refers to any three-dimensional solid material being able to acquire and store fluids discharged from the body. Preferred articles according to the present invention are disposable fluid-absorbent articles that are designed to be worn in contact with the body of a user such as disposable fluid-absorbent pantiliners, sanitary napkins, catamenials, incontinence inserts/pads, diapers, training pant diapers, breast pads, interlabial inserts/pads and the like.

As used herein, the term “body fluids” refers to any fluid produced and discharged by human or animal body, such as urine, menstrual fluids, faeces, vaginal secretions and the like.

B. Water-Absorbent Polymer Particles

The water-absorbent polymer particles are prepared by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution comprising

-   at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer which bears acid     groups and may be at least partly neutralized, -   at least one crosslinker, -   at least one initiator, -   a) optionally one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers     copolymerizable with the monomers mentioned under a), -   optionally one or more water-soluble polymers, and water, -   in a surrounding heated gas phase and flowing the gas cocurrent     through the polymerization chamber, wherein the temperature of the     gas leaving the polymerization chamber is 130° C. or less, the gas     velocity inside the polymerization chamber is at least 0.5 m/s, and     the droplets are generated by using a droplet plate having a     multitude of bores.

The water-absorbent polymer particles are typically insoluble but swellable in water.

The monomers a) are preferably water-soluble, i.e. the solubility in water at 23° C. is typically at least 1 g/100 g of water, preferably at least 5 g/100 g of water, more preferably at least 25 g/100 g of water, most preferably at least 35 g/100 g of water.

Suitable monomers a) are, for example, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, and itaconic acid. Particularly preferred monomers are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Very particular preference is given to acrylic acid.

Further suitable monomers a) are, for example, ethylenically unsaturated sulfonic acids such as vinylsulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS).

Impurities may have a strong impact on the polymerization. Preference is given to especially purified monomers a). Useful purification methods are disclosed in WO 2002/055469 A1, WO 2003/078378 A1 and WO 2004/035514 A1. A suitable monomer a) is according to WO 2004/035514 A1 purified acrylic acid having 99.8460% by weight of acrylic acid, 0.0950% by weight of acetic acid, 0.0332% by weight of water, 0.0203 by weight of propionic acid, 0.0001% by weight of furfurals, 0.0001% by weight of maleic anhydride, 0.0003% by weight of diacrylic acid and 0.0050% by weight of hydroquinone monomethyl ether.

Polymerized diacrylic acid is a source for residual monomers due to thermal decomposition. If the temperatures during the process are low, the concentration of diacrylic acid is no more critical and acrylic acids having higher concentrations of diacrylic acid, i.e. 500 to 10,000 ppm, can be used for the inventive process.

The content of acrylic acid and/or salts thereof in the total amount of monomers a) is preferably at least 50 mol %, more preferably at least 90 mol %, most preferably at least 95 mol %.

The acid groups of the monomers a) are typically partly neutralized, preferably to an extent of from 25 to 85 mol %, preferentially to an extent of from 50 to 80 mol %, more preferably from 60 to 75 mol %, for which the customary neutralizing agents can be used, preferably alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal carbonates or alkali metal hydrogen carbonates, and mixtures thereof. Instead of alkali metal salts, it is also possible to use ammonia or organic amines, for example, triethanolamine. It is also possible to use oxides, carbonates, hydrogencarbonates and hydroxides of magnesium, calcium, strontium, zinc or aluminum as powders, slurries or solutions and mixtures of any of the above neutralization agents. Examples for a mixture is a solution of sodiumaluminate. Sodium and potassium are particularly preferred as alkali metals, but very particular preference is given to sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate, and mixtures thereof. Typically, the neutralization is achieved by mixing in the neutralizing agent as an aqueous solution, as a melt or preferably also as a solid. For example, sodium hydroxide with water content significantly below 50% by weight may be present as a waxy material having a melting point above 23° C. In this case, metered addition as piece material or melt at elevated temperature is possible.

Optionally, it is possible to add to the monomer solution, or to starting materials thereof, one or more chelating agents for masking metal ions, for example iron, for the purpose of stabilization. Suitable chelating agents are, for example, alkali metal citrates, citric acid, alkali metal tatrates, alkali metal lactates and glycolates, pentasodium triphosphate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate, nitrilotriacetic acid, and all chelating agents known under the Trilon® name, for example Trilon® C (pentasodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate), Trilon® D (trisodium (hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediaminetriacetate), and Trilon® M (methylglycinediacetic acid).

The monomers a) comprise typically polymerization inhibitors, preferably hydroquinone monoethers, as inhibitor for storage.

The monomer solution comprises preferably up to 250 ppm by weight, more preferably not more than 130 ppm by weight, most preferably not more than 70 ppm by weight, preferably not less than 10 ppm by weight, more preferably not less than 30 ppm by weight and especially about 50 ppm by weight of hydroquinone monoether, based in each case on acrylic acid, with acrylic acid salts being counted as acrylic acid. For example, the monomer solution can be prepared using acrylic acid having appropriate hydroquinone monoether content. The hydroquinone monoethers may, however, also be removed from the monomer solution by absorption, for example on activated carbon.

Preferred hydroquinone monoethers are hydroquinone monomethyl ether (MEHQ) and/or alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).

Suitable crosslinkers b) are compounds having at least two groups suitable for cross-linking. Such groups are, for example, ethylenically unsaturated groups which can be polymerized by a free-radical mechanism into the polymer chain and functional groups which can form covalent bonds with the acid groups of monomer a). In addition, polyvalent metal ions which can form coordinate bond with at least two acid groups of monomer a) are also suitable crosslinkers b).

The crosslinkers b) are preferably compounds having at least two free-radically polymerizable groups which can be polymerized by a free-radical mechanism into the polymer network. Suitable crosslinkers b) are, for example, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, allyl methacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, triallylamine, tetraallylammonium chloride, tetraallyloxyethane, as described in EP 0 530 438 A1, di- and triacrylates, as described in EP 0 547 847 A1, EP 0 559 476 A1, EP 0 632 068 A1, WO 93/21237 A1, WO 2003/104299 A1, WO 2003/104300 A1, WO 2003/104301 A1 and in DE 103 31 450 A1, mixed acrylates which, as well as acrylate groups, comprise further ethylenically unsaturated groups, as described in DE 103 314 56 A1 and DE 103 55 401 A1, or crosslinker mixtures, as described, for example, in DE 195 43 368 A1, DE 196 46 484 A1, WO 90/15830 A1 and WO 2002/32962 A2.

Suitable crosslinkers b) are in particular pentaerythritol triallyl ether, tetraallyloxyethane, N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide, 15-tuply ethoxylated trimethylolpropane, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate and triallylamine.

Very particularly preferred crosslinkers b) are the polyethoxylated and/or -propoxylated glycerols which have been esterified with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to give di- or triacrylates, as described, for example in WO 2003/104301 A1. Di- and/or triacrylates of 3- to 10-tuply ethoxylated glycerol are particularly advantageous. Very particular preference is given to di- or triacrylates of 1- to 5-tuply ethoxylated and/or propoxylated glycerol. Most preferred are the triacrylates of 3- to 5-tuply ethoxylated and/or propoxylated glycerol and especially the triacrylate of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol.

The amount of crosslinker b) is preferably from 0.05 to 1.5% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 1% by weight, most preferably from 0.3 to 0.6% by weight, based in each case on monomer a). On increasing the amount of crosslinker b) the centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) decreases and the absorption under a pressure of 21.0 g/cm² (AUL) passes through a maximum.

The initiators c) used may be all compounds which disintegrate into free radicals under the polymerization conditions, for example peroxides, hydroperoxides, hydrogen peroxide, persulfates, azo compounds and redox initiators. Preference is given to the use of water-soluble initiators. In some cases, it is advantageous to use mixtures of various initiators, for example mixtures of hydrogen peroxide and sodium or potassium peroxo-disulfate. Mixtures of hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxodisulfate can be used in any proportion.

Particularly preferred initiators c) are azo initiators such as 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane]dihydrochloride and 2,2′-azobis[2-(5-methyl-2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane]dihydrochloride, and photoinitiators such as 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropiophenone and 1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propan-1-one, redox initiators such as sodium persulfate/hydroxymethylsulfinic acid, ammonium peroxodisulfate/hydroxymethylsulfinic acid, hydrogen peroxide/hydroxymethylsulfinic acid, sodium persulfate/ascorbic acid, ammonium peroxodisulfate/ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide/ascorbic acid, photoinitiators such as 1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-propan-1-one, and mixtures thereof. The reducing component used is, however, preferably a mixture of the sodium salt of 2-hydroxy-2-sulfinatoacetic acid, the disodium salt of 2-hydroxy-2-sulfonatoacetic acid and sodium bisulfite. Such mixtures are obtainable as Brüggolite® FF6 and Brüggolite® FF7 (Brüggemann Chemicals; Heilbronn; Germany).

The initiators are used in customary amounts, for example in amounts of from 0.001 to 5% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 2% by weight, based on the monomers a).

Examples of ethylenically unsaturated monomers c) which are copolymerizable with the monomers a) are acrylamide, methacrylamide, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl acrylate and diethylaminopropyl methacrylate.

Useful water-soluble polymers d) include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, starch, starch derivatives, modified cellulose such as methylcellulose or hydroxyethylcellulose, gelatin, polyglycols or polyacrylic acids, polyesters and polyamides, polylactic acid, polyvinylamine, preferably starch, starch derivatives and modified cellulose.

For optimal action, the preferred polymerization inhibitors require dissolved oxygen. Therefore, the monomer solution can be freed of dissolved oxygen before the polymerization by inertization, i.e. flowing through with an inert gas, preferably nitrogen. It is also possible to reduce the concentration of dissolved oxygen by adding a reducing agent. The oxygen content of the monomer solution is preferably lowered before the polymerization to less than 1 ppm by weight, more preferably to less than 0.5 ppm by weight.

The water content of the monomer solution is preferably less than 65% by weight, preferentially less than 62% by weight, more preferably less than 60% by weight, most preferably less than 58% by weight.

The monomer solution has, at 20° C., a dynamic viscosity of preferably from 0.002 to 0.02 Pa·s, more preferably from 0.004 to 0.015 Pa·s, most preferably from 0.005 to 0.01 Pa·s. The mean droplet diameter in the droplet generation rises with rising dynamic viscosity.

The monomer solution has, at 20° C., a density of preferably from 1 to 1.3 g/cm³, more preferably from 1.05 to 1.25 g/cm³, most preferably from 1.1 to 1.2 g/cm³.

The monomer solution has, at 20° C., a surface tension of from 0.02 to 0.06 N/m, more preferably from 0.03 to 0.05 N/m, most preferably from 0.035 to 0.045 N/m. The mean droplet diameter in the droplet generation rises with rising surface tension.

Polymerization

The monomer solution is metered into the gas phase to form droplets, i.e. using a system described in WO 2008/069639 A1 and WO 2008/086976 A1. The droplets are generated by means of a droplet plate.

A droplet plate is a plate having a multitude of bores, the liquid entering the bores from the top. The droplet plate or the liquid can be oscillated, which generates a chain of ideally monodisperse droplets at each bore on the underside of the droplet plate. In a preferred embodiment, the droplet plate is not agitated.

The number and size of the bores are selected according to the desired capacity and droplet size. The droplet diameter is typically 1.9 times the diameter of the bore. What is important here is that the liquid to be dropletized does not pass through the bore too rapidly and the pressure drop over the bore is not too great. Otherwise, the liquid is not dropletized, but rather the liquid jet is broken up (sprayed) owing to the high kinetic energy. The Reynolds number based on the throughput per bore and the bore diameter is preferably less than 2000, preferentially less than 1600, more preferably less than 1400 and most preferably less than 1200.

The underside of the droplet plate has at least in part a contact angle preferably of at least 60°, more preferably at least 75° and most preferably at least 90° with regard to water.

The contact angle is a measure of the wetting behavior of a liquid, in particular water, with regard to a surface, and can be determined using conventional methods, for example in accordance with ASTM D 5725. A low contact angle denotes good wetting, and a high contact angle denotes poor wetting.

It is also possible for the droplet plate to consist of a material having a lower contact angle with regard to water, for example a steel having the German construction material code number of 1.4571, and be coated with a material having a larger contact angle with regard to water.

Useful coatings include for example fluorous polymers, such as perfluoroalkoxyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymers, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers and fluorinated polyethylene.

The coatings can be applied to the substrate as a dispersion, in which case the solvent is subsequently evaporated off and the coating is heat treated. For polytetrafluoroethylene this is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,243,321.

Further coating processes are to found under the headword “Thin Films” in the electronic version of “Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry” (Updated Sixth Edition, 2000 Electronic Release).

The coatings can further be incorporated in a nickel layer in the course of a chemical nickelization.

It is the poor wettability of the droplet plate that leads to the production of monodisperse droplets of narrow droplet size distribution.

The droplet plate has preferably at least 5, more preferably at least 25, most preferably at least 50 and preferably up to 750, more preferably up to 500 bores, most preferably up to 250. The diameter of the bores is adjusted to the desired droplet size.

The separation of the bores is usually from 10 to 50 mm, preferably from 12 to 40 mm, more preferably from 14 to 35 mm, most preferably from 15 to 30 mm. Smaller separations of the bores cause agglomeration of the polymerizing droplets.

The diameter of the bores is preferably from 50 to 500 μm, more preferably from 100 to 300 μm, most preferably from 150 to 250 μm.

The temperature of the monomer solution as it passes through the bore is preferably from 5 to 80° C., more preferably from 10 to 70° C., most preferably from 30 to 60° C.

A gas flows through the reaction chamber. The carrier gas is conducted through the reaction chamber in cocurrent to the free-falling droplets of the monomer solution, i.e. from the top downward. After one pass, the gas is preferably recycled at least partly, preferably to an extent of at least 50%, more preferably to an extent of at least 75%, into the reaction chamber as cycle gas. Typically, a portion of the carrier gas is discharged after each pass, preferably up to 10%, more preferably up to 3% and most preferably up to 1%.

The oxygen content of the carrier gas is preferably from 0.5 to 15% by volume, more preferably from 1 to 10% by volume, most preferably from 2 to 7% by weight.

As well as oxygen, the carrier gas preferably comprises nitrogen. The nitrogen content of the gas is preferably at least 80% by volume, more preferably at least 90% by volume, most preferably at least 95% by volume. Other possible carrier gases may be selected from carbondioxide, argon, xenon, krypton, neon, helium. Any mixture of carrier gases may be used. The carrier gas may also become loaded with water and/or acrylic acid vapors.

The gas velocity is preferably adjusted such that the flow in the reaction chamber is directed, for example no convection currents opposed to the general flow direction are present, and is at least 0.5 m/s, preferably from 0.5 to 1.5 m/s, more preferably from 0.6 to 1.2 m/s, even more preferably from 0.65 to 1.0 m/s, most preferably from 0.7 to 0.9 m/s.

The gas entrance temperature is controlled in such a way that the gas exit temperature, i.e. the temperature with which the gas leaves the reaction chamber, is 130° C. or less, preferably from 100 to 130° C., more preferably from 105 to 128° C., even more preferably from 110 to 126° C., most preferably from 115 to 125° C.

The water-absorbent polymer particles can be divided into three categories: water-absorbent polymer particles of Type 1 are particles with one cavity, water-absorbent polymer particles of Type 2 are particles with more than one cavity, and water-absorbent polymer particles of Type 3 are solid particles with no visible cavity.

The morphology of the water-absorbent polymer particles can be controlled by the reaction conditions during polymerization. Water-absorbent polymer particles having a high amount of particles with one cavity (Type 1) can be prepared by using low gas velocities and high gas exit temperatures. Water-absorbent polymer particles having a high amount of particles with more than one cavity (Type 2) can be prepared by using high gas velocities and low gas exit temperatures.

Water-absorbent polymer particles having more than one cavity (Type 2) show an improved mechanical stability.

The reaction can be carried out under elevated pressure or under reduced pressure; preference is given to a reduced pressure of up to 100 mbar relative to ambient pressure.

The reaction off-gas, i.e. the gas leaving the reaction chamber, may, for example, be cooled in a heat exchanger. This condenses water and unconverted monomer a). The reaction off-gas can then be reheated at least partly and recycled into the reaction chamber as cycle gas. A portion of the reaction off-gas can be discharged and replaced by fresh gas, in which case water and unconverted monomers a) present in the reaction off-gas can be removed and recycled.

Particular preference is given to a thermally integrated system, i.e. a portion of the waste heat in the cooling of the off-gas is used to heat the cycle gas.

The reactors can be trace-heated. In this case, the trace heating is adjusted such that the wall temperature is at least 5° C. above the internal reactor temperature and condensation on the reactor walls is reliably prevented.

Thermal Posttreatment

The residual monomers in the water-absorbent polymer particles obtained by dropletization polymerization can be removed by a thermal posttreatment in the presence of a gas stream. The residual monomers can be removed better at relatively high temperatures and relatively long residence times. What is important here is that the water-absorbent polymer particles are not too dry. In the case of excessively dry particles, the residual monomers decrease only insignificantly. Too high a water content increases the caking tendency of the water-absorbent polymer particles. In order that the water-absorbent polymer particles do not dry too rapidly during the thermal posttreatment, the gas flowing in shall already comprise steam.

The thermal posttreatment can be done in an internal and/or an external fluidized bed. An internal fluidized bed means that the product of the dropletization polymerization is accumulated in a fluidized bed at the bottom of the reaction chamber.

In the fluidized state, the kinetic energy of the polymer particles is greater than the cohesion or adhesion potential between the polymer particles.

The fluidized state can be achieved by a fluidized bed. In this bed, there is upward flow toward the water-absorbing polymer particles, so that the particles form a fluidized bed. The height of the fluidized bed is adjusted by gas rate and gas velocity, i.e. via the pressure drop of the fluidized bed (kinetic energy of the gas).

The velocity of the gas stream in the fluidized bed is preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 m/s, more preferably from 0.6 to 1.5 m/s, most preferably from 0.7 to 1.0 m/s.

In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention the thermal posttreatment is done in an external mixer with moving mixing tools, preferably horizontal mixers, such as screw mixers, disk mixers, screw belt mixers and paddle mixers. Suitable mixers are, for example, Becker shovel mixers (Gebr. Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany), Nara paddle mixers (NARA Machinery Europe; Frechen; Germany), Pflugschar® plowshare mixers (Gebr. Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany), Vrieco-Nauta Continuous Mixers (Hosokawa Micron BV; Doetinchem; the Netherlands), Processall Mixmill Mixers (Processall Incorporated; Cincinnati; U.S.A.) and Ruberg continuous flow mixers (Gebrüder Ruberg GmbH & Co KG, Nieheim, Germany). Ruberg continuous flow mixers, Becker shovel mixers and Pflugschar® plowshare mixers are preferred.

The moisture content of the water-absorbent polymer particles during the thermal posttreatment is preferably from 3 to 50% by weight, more preferably from 6 to 30% by weight, most preferably from 8 to 20% by weight.

The temperature of the water-absorbent polymer particles during the thermal posttreatment is preferably from 60 to 140° C., more preferably from 70 to 125° C., very particularly from 80 to 110° C.

The average residence time in the mixer used for the thermal posttreatment is preferably from 10 to 120 minutes, more preferably from 15 to 90 minutes, most preferably from 20 to 60 minutes.

The steam content of the gas is preferably from 0.01 to 1 kg per kg of dry gas, more preferably from 0.05 to 0.5 kg per kg of dry gas, most preferably from 0.1 to 0.25 kg per kg of dry gas.

The thermal posttreatment can be done in a discontinuous external mixer or a continuous external mixer.

The amount of gas to be used in the discontinuous external mixer is preferably from 0.01 to 5 Nm³/h, more preferably from 0.05 to 2 Nm³/h, most preferably from 0.1 to 0.5 Nm³/h, based in each case on kg water-absorbent polymer particles.

The amount of gas to be used in the continuous external mixer is preferably from 0.01 to 5 Nm³/h, more preferably from 0.05 to 2 Nm³/h, most preferably from 0.1 to 0.5 Nm³/h, based in each case on kg/h throughput of water-absorbent polymer particles.

The other constituents of the gas are preferably nitrogen, carbondioxide, argon, xenon, krypton, neon, helium, air or air/nitrogen mixtures, more preferably nitrogen or air/nitrogen mixtures comprising less than 10% by volume of oxygen. Oxygen may cause discoloration.

Postcrosslinking

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the polymer particles are postcrosslinked for further improvement of the properties.

Postcrosslinkers are compounds which comprise groups which can form at least two covalent bonds with the carboxylate groups of the polymer particles. Suitable compounds are, for example, polyfunctional amines, polyfunctional amidoamines, polyfunctional epoxides, as described in EP 0 083 022 A2, EP 0 543 303 A1 and EP 0 937 736 A2, di- or polyfunctional alcohols as described in DE 33 14 019 A1, DE 35 23 617 A1 and EP 0 450 922 A2, or β-hydroxyalkylamides, as described in DE 102 04 938 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,230.

Polyvinylamine, polyamidoamines and polyvinylalcohole are examples of multifunctional polymeric postcrosslinkers.

In addition, DE 40 20 780 C1 describes cyclic carbonates, DE 198 07 502 A1 describes 2-oxazolidone and its derivatives such as 2-hydroxyethyl-2-oxazolidone, DE 198 07 992 C1 describes bis- and poly-2-oxazolidinones, DE 198 54 573 A1 describes 2-oxotetrahydro-1,3-oxazine and its derivatives, DE 198 54 574 A1 describes N-acyl-2-oxazolidones, DE 102 04 937 A1 describes cyclic ureas, DE 103 34 584 A1 describes bicyclic amide acetals, EP 1 199 327 A2 describes oxetanes and cyclic ureas, and WO 2003/31482 A1 describes morpholine-2,3-dione and its derivatives, as suitable postcrosslinkers.

Particularly preferred postcrosslinkers are ethylene carbonate, mixtures of propylene glycol, 1,3-propandiole, 1,4-butanediol, mixtures of 1,3-propandiole and 1,4-butane-diole, ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether and reaction products of polyamides and epichlorohydrin.

Very particularly preferred postcrosslinkers are 2-hydroxyethyl-2-oxazolidone, 2-oxazolidone and 1,3-propanediol.

In addition, it is also possible to use postcrosslinkers which comprise additional polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups, as described in DE 37 13 601 A1.

The amount of postcrosslinker is preferably from 0.001 to 2% by weight, more preferably from 0.02 to 1% by weight, most preferably from 0.05 to 0.2% by weight, based in each case on the polymer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, polyvalent cations are applied to the particle surface in addition to the postcrosslinkers before, during or after the postcrosslinking.

The polyvalent cations usable in the process according to the invention are, for example, divalent cations such as the cations of zinc, magnesium, calcium, iron and strontium, trivalent cations such as the cations of aluminum, iron, chromium, rare earths and manganese, tetravalent cations such as the cations of titanium and zirconium, and mixtures thereof. Possible counterions are chloride, bromide, sulfate, hydrogensulfate, carbonate, hydrogencarbonate, nitrate, hydroxide, phosphate, hydrogenphosphate, dihydrogenphosphate and carboxylate, such as acetate, glycolate, tartrate, formiate, propionate and lactate, and mixtures thereof. Aluminum sulfate, aluminum acetate, and aluminum lactate are preferred. Apart from metal salts, it is also possible to use polyamines and/or polymeric amines as polyvalent cations. A single metal salt can be used as well as any mixture of the metal salts and/or the polyamines above.

The amount of polyvalent cation used is, for example, from 0.001 to 1.5% by weight, preferably from 0.005 to 1% by weight, more preferably from 0.02 to 0.8% by weight, based in each case on the polymer.

The postcrosslinking is typically performed in such a way that a solution of the postcrosslinker is sprayed onto the hydrogel or the dry polymer particles. After the spraying, the polymer particles coated with the postcrosslinker are dried thermally and cooled, and the postcrosslinking reaction can take place either before or during the drying.

The spraying of a solution of the postcrosslinker is preferably performed in mixers with moving mixing tools, such as screw mixers, disk mixers and paddle mixers. Suitable mixers are, for example, horizontal Pflugschar® plowshare mixers (Gebr. Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany), Vrieco-Nauta Continuous Mixers (Hosokawa Micron BV; Doetinchem; the Netherlands), Processall Mixmill Mixers (Processall Incorporated; Cincinnati; US) and Ruberg continuous flow mixers (Gebrüder Ruberg GmbH & Co KG, Nieheim, Germany). Ruberg continuous flow mixers and horizontal Pflugschar® plowshare mixers are preferred. The postcrosslinker solution can also be sprayed into a fluidized bed.

If an external mixer or an external fluidized bed is used for thermal posttreatment, the solution of the postcrosslinker can also be sprayed into the external mixer or the external fluidized bed.

The postcrosslinkers are typically used as an aqueous solution. The addition of non-aqueous solvent can be used to adjust the penetration depth of the postcrosslinker into the polymer particles.

The thermal drying is preferably carried out in contact dryers, more preferably paddle dryers, most preferably disk dryers. Suitable driers are, for example, Hosokawa Bepex® horizontal paddle driers (Hosokawa Micron GmbH; Leingarten; Germany), Hosokawa Bepex® disk driers (Hosokawa Micron GmbH; Leingarten; Germany), Holo-Flite® dryers (Metso Minerals Industries Inc.; Danville; U.S.A.) and Nara paddle driers (NARA Machinery Europe; Frechen; Germany). Nara paddle driers and, in the case of using polyfunctional epoxides, Holo-Flite® dryers are preferred. Moreover, it is also possible to use fluidized bed dryers.

The drying can be effected in the mixer itself, by heating the jacket or blowing in warm air. Equally suitable is a downstream dryer, for example a shelf dryer, a rotary tube oven or a heatable screw. It is particularly advantageous to mix and dry in a fluidized bed dryer.

Preferred drying temperatures are in the range from 50 to 220° C., preferably from 100 to 180° C., more preferably from 120 to 160° C., most preferably from 130 to 150° C. The preferred residence time at this temperature in the reaction mixer or dryer is preferably at least 10 minutes, more preferably at least 20 minutes, most preferably at least 30 minutes, and typically at most 60 minutes.

It is preferable to cool the polymer particles after thermal drying. The cooling is preferably carried out in contact coolers, more preferably paddle coolers, most preferably disk coolers. Suitable coolers are, for example, Hosokawa Bepex® horizontal paddle coolers (Hosokawa Micron GmbH; Leingarten; Germany), Hosokawa Bepex® disk coolers (Hosokawa Micron GmbH; Leingarten; Germany), Holo-Flite® coolers (Metso Minerals Industries Inc.; Danville; U.S.A.) and Nara paddle coolers (NARA Machinery Europe; Frechen; Germany). Moreover, it is also possible to use fluidized bed coolers.

In the cooler the polymer particles are cooled to temperatures of in the range from 20 to 150° C., preferably from 40 to 120° C., more preferably from 60 to 100° C., most preferably from 70 to 90° C. Cooling using warm water is preferred, especially when contact coolers are used.

Coating

To improve the properties, the water-absorbent polymer particles can be coated and/or optionally moistened. The internal fluidized bed, the external fluidized bed and/or the external mixer used for the thermal posttreatment and/or a separate coater (mixer) can be used for coating of the water-absorbent polymer particles. Further, the cooler and/or a separate coater (mixer) can be used for coating/moistening of the postcrosslinked water-absorbent polymer particles. Suitable coatings for controlling the acquisition behavior and improving the permeability (SFC or GBP) are, for example, inorganic inert substances, such as water-insoluble metal salts, organic polymers, cationic polymers and polyvalent metal cations. Suitable coatings for improving the color stability are, for example reducing agents and anti-oxidants. Suitable coatings for dust binding are, for example, polyols. Suitable coatings against the undesired caking tendency of the polymer particles are, for example, fumed silica, such as Aerosil® 200, and surfactants, such as Span® 20. Preferred coatings are aluminium monoacetate, aluminium sulfate, aluminium lactate, Brüggolite® FF7 and Span® 20.

Suitable inorganic inert substances are silicates such as montmorillonite, kaolinite and talc, zeolites, activated carbons, polysilicic acids, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, barium sulfate, aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide and iron(II) oxide. Preference is given to using polysilicic acids, which are divided between precipitated silicas and fumed silicas according to their mode of preparation. The two variants are commercially available under the names Silica FK, Sipernat®, Wessalon® (precipitated silicas) and Aerosil® (fumed silicas) respectively. The inorganic inert substances may be used as dispersion in an aqueous or water-miscible dispersant or in substance.

When the water-absorbent polymer particles are coated with inorganic inert substan-ces, the amount of inorganic inert substances used, based on the water-absorbent polymer particles, is preferably from 0.05 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight, most preferably from 0.3 to 1% by weight.

Suitable organic polymers are polyalkyl methacrylates or thermoplastics such as polyvinyl chloride, waxes based on polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides or polytetrafluoro-ethylene. Other examples are styrene-isoprene-styrene block-copoly-mers or styrene-butadiene-styrene block-copolymers.

Suitable cationic polymers are polyalkylenepolyamines, cationic derivatives of polyacrylamides, polyethyleneimines and polyquaternary amines.

Polyquaternary amines are, for example, condensation products of hexamethylenedi-amine, dimethylamine and epichlorohydrin, condensation products of dimethylamine and epichlorohydrin, copolymers of hydroxyethylcellulose and diallyldimethylammo-nium chloride, copolymers of acrylamide and α-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammo-nium chloride, condensation products of hydroxyethylcellulose, epichlorohydrin and trimethylamine, homopolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and addition products of epichlorohydrin to amidoamines. In addition, polyquaternary amines can be obtained by reacting dimethyl sulfate with polymers such as polyethyleneimines, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate or copolymers of ethyl methacrylate and diethylaminoethyl methacrylate. The polyquaternary amines are available within a wide molecular weight range.

However, it is also possible to generate the cationic polymers on the particle surface, either through reagents which can form a network with themselves, such as addition products of epichlorohydrin to polyamidoamines, or through the application of cationic polymers which can react with an added crosslinker, such as polyamines or polyimines in combination with polyepoxides, polyfunctional esters, polyfunctional acids or poly-functional (meth)acrylates.

It is possible to use all polyfunctional amines having primary or secondary amino groups, such as polyethyleneimine, polyallylamine and polylysine. The liquid sprayed by the process according to the invention preferably comprises at least one polyamine, for example polyvinylamine or a partially hydrolyzed polyvinylformamide.

The cationic polymers may be used as a solution in an aqueous or water-miscible solvent, as dispersion in an aqueous or water-miscible dispersant or in substance.

When the water-absorbent polymer particles are coated with a cationic polymer, the use amount of cationic polymer based on the water-absorbent polymer particles is usually not less than 0.001% by weight, typically not less than 0.01% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 15% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 10% by weight, most preferably from 1 to 5% by weight.

Suitable polyvalent metal cations are Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, SC³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe^(2+/3+), Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu^(+/2+), Zn²⁺, Y³⁺, Zr⁴⁺, Ag⁺, La³⁺, Ce⁴⁺, Hf⁴⁺ and Au^(+/3+); preferred metal cations are Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺ and La³⁺; particularly preferred metal cations are Al³⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and Zr⁴⁺. The metal cations may be used either alone or in a mixture with one another. Suitable metal salts of the metal cations mentioned are all of those which have a sufficient solubility in the solvent to be used. Particularly suitable metal salts have weakly complexing anions, such as chloride, hydroxide, carbonate, nitrate and sulfate. The metal salts are preferably used as a solution or as a stable aqueous colloidal dispersion. The solvents used for the metal salts may be water, alcohols, dimethylfor-mamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and mixtures thereof. Particular preference is given to water and water/alcohol mixtures, such as water/methanol, water/isopropanol, water/1,3-propanediole, water/1,2-propandiole/1,4-butanediole or water/propylene glycol.

When the water-absorbent polymer particles are coated with a polyvalent metal cation, the amount of polyvalent metal cation used, based on the water-absorbent polymer particles, is preferably from 0.05 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight, most preferably from 0.3 to 1% by weight.

Suitable reducing agents are, for example, sodium sulfite, sodium hydrogensulfite (sodium bisulfite), sodium dithionite, sulfinic acids and salts thereof, ascorbic acid, sodium hypophosphite, sodium phosphite, and phosphinic acids and salts thereof. Preference is given, however, to salts of hypophosphorous acid, for example sodium hypophos-phite, salts of sulfinic acids, for example the disodium salt of 2-hydroxy-2-sulfinato-acetic acid, and addition products of aldehydes, for example the disodium salt of 2-hy-droxy-2-sulfonatoacetic acid. The reducing agent used can be, however, a mixture of the sodium salt of 2-hydroxy-2-sulfinatoacetic acid, the disodium salt of 2-hydroxy-2-sulfonatoacetic acid and sodium bisulfite. Such mixtures are obtainable as Brüggolite® FF6 and Brüggolite® FF7 (Brüggemann Chemicals; Heilbronn; Germany).

The reducing agents are typically used in the form of a solution in a suitable solvent, preferably water. The reducing agent may be used as a pure substance or any mixture of the above reducing agents may be used.

When the water-absorbent polymer particles are coated with a reducing agent, the amount of reducing agent used, based on the water-absorbent polymer particles, is preferably from 0.01 to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 2% by weight, most preferably from 0.1 to 1% by weight.

Suitable polyols are polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of from 400 to 20000 g/mol, polyglycerol, 3- to 100-tuply ethoxylated polyols, such as trimethylol-propane, glycerol, sorbitol and neopentyl glycol. Particularly suitable polyols are 7- to 20-tuply ethoxylated glycerol or trimethylolpropane, for example Polyol TP 70® (Perstorp AB, Perstorp, Sweden). The latter have the advantage in particular that they lower the surface tension of an aqueous extract of the water-absorbent polymer particles only insignificantly. The polyols are preferably used as a solution in aqueous or water-miscible solvents.

When the water-absorbent polymer particles are coated with a polyol, the use amount of polyol, based on the water-absorbent polymer particles, is preferably from 0.005 to 2% by weight, more preferably from 0.01 to 1% by weight, most preferably from 0.05 to 0.5% by weight.

The coating is preferably performed in mixers with moving mixing tools, such as screw mixers, disk mixers, paddle mixers and drum coater. Suitable mixers are, for example, horizontal Pflugschar® plowshare mixers (Gebr. Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany), Vrieco-Nauta Continuous Mixers (Hosokawa Micron BV; Doetinchem; the Netherlands), Processall Mixmill Mixers (Processall Incorporated; Cincinnati; US) and Ruberg continuous flow mixers (Gebrüder Ruberg GmbH & Co KG, Nieheim, Germany). Moreover, it is also possible to use a fluidized bed for mixing.

Agglomeration

The water-absorbent polymer particles can further selectively be agglomerated. The agglomeration can take place after the polymerization, the thermal postreatment, the postcrosslinking or the coating.

Useful agglomeration assistants include water and water-miscible organic solvents, such as alcohols, tetrahydrofuran and acetone; water-soluble polymers can be used in addition.

For agglomeration a solution comprising the agglomeration assistant is sprayed onto the water-absorbing polymeric particles. The spraying with the solution can, for example, be carried out in mixers having moving mixing implements, such as screw mixers, paddle mixers, disk mixers, plowshare mixers and shovel mixers. Useful mixers include for example Lödige® mixers, Bepex® mixers, Nauta® mixers, Processall mixers and Schugi mixers. Vertical mixers are preferred. Fluidized bed apparatuses are particularly preferred.

Combination of Thermal Posttreatment, Postcrosslinking and Optionally Coating

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the steps of thermal posttreatment and postcrosslinking are combined in one process step. Such combination allows the use of very reactive postcrosslinkers without having any risk of any residual postcross-linker in the finished product. It also allows the use of low cost equipment and moreover the process can be run at low temperatures which is cost-efficient and avoids discoloration and loss of performance properties of the finished product by thermal degradation.

Postcrosslinkers in this particular preferred embodiment are selected from epoxides, aziridines, polyfunctional epoxides, and polyfunctional aziridines. Examples are ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, propylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether, glycerol polyglycidyl ether, sorbitol polyglycidyl ether, pentaerythritol polyglycidyl ether. Such compounds are available for example under the trade name Denacol® (Nagase ChemteX Corporation, Osaka, Japan). These compounds react with the carboxylate groups of the water-absorbent polymers to form crosslinks already at product temperatures of less than 160° C.

The mixer may be selected from any of the equipment options cited in the thermal posttreatment section. Ruberg continuous flow mixers, Becker shovel mixers and Pflugschar® plowshare mixers are preferred.

In this particular preferred embodiment the postcrosslinking solution is sprayed onto the water-absorbent polymer particles under agitation. The temperature of the water-absorbent polymer particles inside the mixer is at least 60° C., preferably at least 80° C., more preferably at least 90° C., most preferably at least 100° C., and preferably not more than 160° C., more preferably not more than 140° C., most preferably not more than 115° C. Thermal posttreatment and postcrosslinking are performed in the presence of a gas stream having a moisture content cited in the thermal posttreatment section.

Following the thermal posttreatment/postcrosslinking the water-absorbent polymer particles are dried to the desired moisture level and for this step any dryer cited in the postcrosslinking section may be selected. However, as only drying needs to be accomplished in this particular preferred embodiment it is possible to use simple and low cost heated contact dryers like a heated screw dryer, for example a Holo-Flite® dryer (Metso Minerals Industries Inc.; Danville; U.S.A.). Alternatively a fluidized bed may be used. In cases where the product needs to be dried with a predetermined and narrow residence time it is possible to use torus disc dryers or paddle dryers, for example a Nara paddle dryer (NARA Machinery Europe; Frechen; Germany), but designed for and operated with low pressure steam or heating liquid as the product temperature during drying does not need to exceed 160° C., preferably does not need to exceed 150° C., more preferably does not need to exceed 140° C., most preferably from 90 to 135° C.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, polyvalent cations cited in the postcrosslinking section are applied to the particle surface before, during or after addition of the postcrosslinker by using different addition points along the axis of a horizontal mixer.

In a very particular preferred embodiment of the present invention the steps of thermal posttreatment, postcrosslinking, and coating are combined in one process step. Suitable coatings are cationic polymers, surfactants, and inorganic inert substances that are cited in the coating section. The coating agent can be applied to the particle surface before, during or after addition of the postcrosslinker also by using different addition points along the axis of a horizontal mixer.

The polyvalent cations and/or the cationic polymers can act as additional scavengers for residual postcrosslinkers. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the postcrosslinkers are added prior to the polyvalent cations and/or the cationic polymers to allow the postcrosslinker to react first.

The surfactants and/or the inorganic inert substances can be used to avoid sticking or caking during this process step under humid atmospheric conditions. A preferred surfactant is Span® 20. Preferred inorganic inert substances are precipitated silicas and fumed silcas in form of powder or dispersion.

The amount of total liquid used for preparing the solutions/dispersions is typically from 0.01% to 25% by weight, preferably from 0.5% to 12% by weight, more preferably from 2% to 7% by weight, most preferably from 3% to 6% by weight, in respect to the weight amount of water-absorbent polymer particles to be processed.

Preferred embodiments are depicted in FIGS. 1 to 8.

FIG. 1: Process scheme (with external fluidized bed)

FIG. 2: Process scheme (without external fluidized bed)

FIG. 3: Arrangement of the T_outlet measurement

FIG. 4: Arrangement of the dropletizer units

FIG. 5: Dropletizer unit (longitudinal cut)

FIG. 6: Dropletizer unit (cross sectional view)

FIG. 7: Process scheme (external thermal posttreatment and postcrosslinking)

FIG. 8: Process scheme (external thermal posttreatment, postcrosslinking and coating)

The reference numerals have the following meanings:

-   Drying gas inlet pipe -   Drying gas amount measurement -   Gas distributor -   Dropletizer units -   Cocurrent spray dryer, cylindrical part -   Cone -   T_outlet measurement -   Tower offgas pipe -   Baghouse filter -   Ventilator -   Quench nozzles -   Condenser column, counter current cooling -   Heat exchanger -   Pump -   Pump -   Water outlet -   Ventilator -   Offgas outlet -   Nitrogen inlet -   Heat exchanger -   Ventilator -   Heat exchanger -   Steam injection via nozzles -   Water loading measurement -   Conditioned internal fluidized bed gas -   Internal fluidized bed product temperature measurement -   Internal fluidized bed -   Product discharge into external fluidized bed, rotary valve -   External fluidized bed -   Ventilator -   External fluidized bed offgas outlet to baghouse filter -   Rotary valve -   Sieve -   End product -   Filtered air inlet -   Ventilator -   Heat exchanger -   Steam injection via nozzles -   Water loading measurement -   Conditioned external fluidized bed gas -   Static mixer -   Static mixer -   Initiator feed -   Initiator feed -   Monomer feed -   Fine particle fraction outlet to rework -   T_outlet measurement (average temperature out of 3 measurements     around tower circumference) -   Dropletizer unit -   Monomer premixed with initiator feed -   Spray dryer tower wall -   Dropletizer unit outer pipe -   Dropletizer unit inner pipe -   Dropletizer cassette -   Teflon block -   Valve -   Monomer premixed with initiator feed inlet pipe connector -   Droplet plate -   Counter plate -   Flow channels for temperature control water -   Dead volume free flow channel for monomer solution -   Dropletizer cassette stainless steel block -   External thermal posttreatment -   Optional coating feed -   Postcrosslinker feed -   Thermal dryer (postcrosslinking) -   Cooler -   Optional coating/water feed -   Coater -   Coating/water feed

The drying gas is feed via a gas distributor (3) at the top of the spray dryer as shown in FIG. 1. The drying gas is partly recycled (drying gas loop) via a baghouse filter (9) and a condenser column (12). The pressure inside the spray dryer is below ambient pressure.

The spray dryer outlet temperature is preferably measured at three points around the circumference at the end of the cylindrical part as shown in FIG. 3. The single measurements (47) are used to calculate the average cylindrical spray dryer outlet temperature.

The product accumulated in the internal fluidized bed (27). Conditioned internal fluidized bed gas is fed to the internal fluidized bed (27) via line (25). The relative humidity of the internal fluidized bed gas is preferably controlled by adding steam via line (23).

The spray dryer offgas is filtered in baghouse filter (9) and sent to a condenser column (12) for quenching/cooling. After the baghouse filter (9) a recuperation heat exchanger system for preheating the gas after the condenser column (12) can be used. Excess water is pumped out of the condenser column (12) by controlling the (constant) filling level inside the condenser column (12). The water inside the condenser column (12) is cooled by a heat exchanger (13) and pumped counter-current to the gas via quench nozzles (11) so that the temperature inside the condenser column (12) is preferably from 20 to 100° C., more preferably from 30 to 80° C., most preferably from 40 to 75° C. The water inside the condenser column (12) is set to an alkaline pH by dosing a neutralizing agent to wash out vapors of monomer a). Aqueous solution from the condenser column (12) can be sent back for preparation of the monomer solution.

The condenser column offgas is split to the drying gas inlet pipe (1) and the conditioned internal fluidized bed gas (25). The gas temperatures are controlled via heat exchangers (20) and (22). The hot drying gas is fed to the cocurrent spray dryer via gas distributor (3). The gas distributor (3) consists preferably of a set of plates providing a pressure drop of preferably 1 to 100 mbar, more preferably 2 to 30 mbar, most preferably 4 to 20 mbar, depending on the drying gas amount. Turbulences and/or a centrifugal velocity can also be introduced into the drying gas if desired by using gas nozzles or baffle plates.

The product is discharged from the internal fluidized bed (27) via rotary valve (28) into external fluidized bed (29). Conditioned external fluidized bed gas is fed to the external fluidized bed (29) via line (40). The relative humidity of the external fluidized bed gas is preferably controlled by adding steam via line (38).The product holdup in the internal fluidized bed (27) can be controlled via weir height or rotational speed of the rotary valve (28).

The product is discharged from the external fluidized bed (29) via rotary valve (32) into sieve (33). The product holdup in the external fluidized bed (28) can be controlled via weir height or rotational speed of the rotary valve (32). The sieve (33) is used for sieving off overs/lumps.

The monomer solution is preferably prepared by mixing first monomer a) with a neutralization agent and secondly with crosslinker b). The temperature during neutralization is controlled to preferably from 5 to 60° C., more preferably from 8 to 40° C., most preferably from 10 to 30° C., by using a heat exchanger and pumping in a loop. A filter unit is preferably used in the loop after the pump. The initiators are metered into the monomer solution upstream of the dropletizer by means of static mixers (41) and (42) via lines (43) and (44) as shown in FIG. 1. Preferably a peroxide solution having a temperature of preferably from 5 to 60° C., more preferably from 10 to 50° C., most preferably from 15 to 40° C., is added via line (43) and preferably an azo initiator solution having a temperature of preferably from 2 to 30° C., more preferably from 3 to 15° C., most preferably from 4 to 8° C., is added via line (44). Each initiator is preferably pumped in a loop and dosed via control valves to each dropletizer unit. A second filter unit is preferably used after the static mixer (42). The mean residence time of the monomer solution admixed with the full initiator package in the piping before the droplet plates (57) is preferably less than 60 s, more preferably less than 30 s, most preferably less than 10 s.

For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer preferably three dropletizer units are used as shown in FIG. 4.

A dropletizer unit consists of an outer pipe (51) having an opening for the dropletizer cassette (53) as shown in FIG. 5. The dropletizer cassette (53) is connected with an inner pipe (52). The inner pipe (53) having a PTFE block (54) at the end as sealing can be pushed in and out of the outer pipe (51) during operation of the process for maintenance purposes.

The temperature of the dropletizer cassette (61) is controlled to preferably 5 to 80° C., more preferably 10 to 70° C., most preferably 30 to 60° C., by water in flow channels (59) as shown in FIG. 6.

The dropletizer cassette has preferably from 10 to 1500, more preferably from 50 to 1000, most preferably from 100 to 500, bores having a diameter of preferably from 50 to 500 μm, more preferably from 100 to 300 μm, most preferably from 150 to 250 μm. The bores can be of circular, rectangular, triangular or any other shape. Circular bores are preferred. The ratio of bore length to bore diameter is preferably from 0.5 to 10, more preferably from 0.8 to 5, most preferably from 1 to 3. The droplet plate (57) can have a greater thickness than the bore length when using an inlet bore channel. The droplet plate (57) is preferably long and narrow as disclosed in WO 2008/086976 A1. Multiple rows of bores per droplet plate can be used, preferably from 1 to 20 rows, more preferably from 2 to 5 rows.

The dropletizer cassette (61) consists of a flow channel (60) having essential no stagnant volume for homogeneous distribution of the premixed monomer and initiator solutions and two droplet plates (57). The droplet plates (57) have an angled configuration with an angle of preferably from 1 to 90°, more preferably from 3 to 45°, most preferably from 5 to 20°. Each droplet plate (57) is preferably made of stainless steel or fluorous polymers, such as perfluoroalkoxyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymers, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers and fluorinated polyethylene. Coated droplet plates as disclosed in WO 2007/031441 A1 can also be used. The choice of material for the droplet plate is not limited except that droplet formation must work and it is preferable to use materials which do not catalyze the start of polymerization on its surface.

The throughput of monomer including initiator solutions per dropletizer unit is preferably from 150 to 2500 kg/h, more preferably from 200 to 1000 kg/h, most preferably from 300 to 600 kg/h. The throughput per bore is preferably from 0.5 to 10 kg/h, more preferably from 0.8 to 5 kg/h, most preferably from 1 to 3 kg/h.

Water-Absorbent Polymer Particles

The present invention provides water-absorbent polymer particles having more than one cavity wherein the cavities have an inside diameter from preferably 1 to 50 μm, more preferably 2 to 30 μm, even more preferably 5 to 20 μm, most preferably 7 to 15 μm, while the remaining particles have no visible cavities inside. Cavities with less than 1 μm diameter are considered as not visible cavities.

The present invention further provides water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention, wherein the polymer particles have a mean sphericity from 0.86 to 0.99, a bulk density of at least 0.58 g/cm³, and a average particle diameter from 250 to 550 μm, wherein the particle diameter distribution is less than 0.7 and the ratio of particles having one cavity to particles having more than one cavity is less than 1.0.

In one particular preferred embodiment the present invention further provides water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the present invention, which have a mean sphericity from 0.86 to 0.99 and a bulk density of at least 0.58 g/cm³, and an average particle diameter from 250 to 550 μm, wherein the particle diameter distribution is less than 0.7 and at least 50% of the water-absorbent polymer particles have one or several small cavities per particle, while the remaining particles have no visible cavities inside.

The water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention have a mean sphericity from 0.86 to 0.99, preferably from 0.87 to 0.97, more preferably from 0.88 to 0.95, most preferably from 0.89 to 0.93. The sphericity (SPHT) is defined as SPHT=4πA/U ², where A is the cross-sectional area and U is the cross-sectional circumference of the polymer particles. The mean sphericity is the volume-average sphericity.

The mean sphericity can be determined, for example, with the Camsizer® image analysis system (Retsch Technology GmbH; Haan; Germany):

For the measurement, the product is introduced through a funnel and conveyed to the falling shaft with a metering channel. While the particles fall past a light wall, they are recorded selectively by a camera. The images recorded are evaluated by the software in accordance with the parameters selected.

To characterize the roundness, the parameters designated as sphericity in the program are employed. The parameters reported are the mean volume-weighted sphericities, the volume of the particles being determined via the equivalent diameter xc_(min). To determine the equivalent diameter xc_(min), the longest chord diameter for a total of 32 different spatial directions is measured in each case. The equivalent diameter xc_(min) is the shortest of these 32 chord diameters. To record the particles, the so-called CCD-zoom camera (CAM-Z) is used. To control the metering channel, a surface coverage fraction in the detection window of the camera (transmission) of 0.5% is predefined.

Water-absorbent polymer particles with relatively low sphericity are obtained by reverse suspension polymerization when the polymer beads are agglomerated during or after the polymerization.

The water-absorbent polymer particles prepared by customary solution polymerization (gel polymerization) are ground and classified after drying to obtain irregular polymer particles. The mean sphericity of these polymer particles is between approx. 0.72 and approx. 0.78.

The inventive water-absorbent polymer particles have a content of hydrophobic solvent of preferably less than 0.005% by weight, more preferably less than 0.002% by weight and most preferably less than 0.001% by weight. The content of hydrophobic solvent can be determined by gas chromatography, for example by means of the headspace technique.

Water-absorbent polymer particles which have been obtained by reverse suspension polymerization still comprise typically approx. 0.01% by weight of the hydrophobic solvent used as the reaction medium.

The inventive water-absorbent polymer particles have a dispersant content of typically less than 1% by weight, preferably less than 0.5% by weight, more preferably less than 0.1% by weight and most preferably less than 0.05% by weight.

Water-absorbent polymer particles which have been obtained by reverse suspension polymerization still comprise typically at least 1% by weight of the dispersant, i.e. ethylcellulose, used to stabilize the suspension.

The water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention have a bulk density preferably at least 0.6 g/cm³, more preferably at least 0.65 g/cm³, most preferably at least 0.7 g/cm³, and typically less than 1 g/cm³.

The average particle diameter of the inventive water-absorbent particles is preferably from 320 to 500 μm, more preferably from 370 to 470 μm, most preferably from 400 to 450 μm.

The particle diameter distribution is preferably less than 0.65, more preferably less than 0.62, more preferably less than 0.6.

Particle morphologies of the water-absorbent polymer particles are investigated in the swollen state by microscope analysis. The water-absorbent polymer particles can be divided into three categories: Type 1 are particles with one cavity having diameters typically from 0.4 to 2.5 mm, Type 2 are particles with more than one cavity having diameters typically from 0.001 to 0.3 mm, and Type 3 are solid particles with no visible cavities.

The ratio of particles having one cavity (Type 1) to particles having more than one cavity (Type 2) is preferably less than 0.7, more preferably less than 0.5, most preferably less than 0.4. Lower ratios correlated with higher bulk densities.

The water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention have a moisture content of preferably from 0.5 to 15% by weight, more preferably from 3 to 12% by weight, most preferably from 5 to 10% by weight.

In a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention the residual content of unreacted monomer in the water-absorbent polymer particles is reduced by thermal post-treatment with water vapor at elevated temperature. This thermal post-treatment may take place after the water-absorbent polymer particles have left the reaction chamber. The water absorbent particles may also be optionally stored in a buffer silo prior or after thermal post-treatment. Particularly preferred water-absorbent polymer particles have residual monomer contents of not more than 2000 ppm, typically not more than 1000 ppm, preferably less than 700 ppm, more preferably between 0 to 500 ppm, most preferably between 50 to 400 ppm.

The water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention have a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of typically at least 20 g/g, preferably at least 25 g/g, preferentially at least 28 g/g, more preferably at least 30 g/g, most preferably at least 32 g/g. The centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of the water-absorbent polymer particles is typically less than 60 g/g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention have an absorbency under a load of 49.2 g/cm² (AUHL) of typically at least 15 g/g, preferably at least 16 g/g, preferentially at least 20 g/g, more preferably at least 23 g/g, most preferably at least 25 g/g, and typically not more than 50 g/g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention have a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of typically at least 10×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, usually at least 20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, preferably at least 50×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, preferentially at least 80×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, more preferably at least 120×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, most preferably at least 150×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, and typically not more than 300×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles obtainable by the process according to the invention have a free swell gel bed permeability (GBP) of typically at least 5 Darcies, usually at least 10 Darcies, preferably at least 20 Darcies, preferentially at least 30 Darcies, more preferably at least 40 Darcies, most preferably at least 50 Darcies, and typically not more than 250 Darcies.

Preferred water-absorbent polymer particles are polymer particles having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at least 30 g/g, preferably of at least 32 g/g, more preferably of at least 33 g/g, most preferably of at least 34 g/g, an absorption under high load (AUHL) of at least 20 g/g, preferably of at least 22 g/g, more preferably of at least 24 g/g, most preferably of at least 25 g/g, and a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least 10×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, preferably of at least 12×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, more preferably of at least 14×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, most preferably of at least 15×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g.

Also preferred water-absorbent polymer particles are polymer particles having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at least 20 g/g, preferably of at least 24 g/g, more preferably of at least 26 g/g, most preferably of at least 28 g/g, an absorption under high load (AUHL) of at least 15 g/g, preferably of at least 17 g/g, more preferably of at least 19 g/g, most preferably of at least 20 g/g, and a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least 80×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, preferably of at least 110×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, more preferably of at least 130×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, most preferably of at least 150×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g.

Also preferred water-absorbent polymer particles are polymer particles having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at least 30 g/g, preferably of at least 31 g/g, more preferably of at least 32 g/g, most preferably of at least 33 g/g, an absorption under high load (AUHL) of at least 16 g/g, preferably of at least 19 g/g, more preferably of at least 21 g/g, most preferably of at least 23 g/g, and a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least 20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, preferably of at least 30×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, more preferably of at least 35×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g, most preferably of at least 40×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g.

The inventive water-absorbent polymer particles have an improved mechanical stability and a narrow particle size distribution with small particles. Also, the inventive water-absorbent polymer particles have an improved processibility, a reduced tendency of segregation, a smaller particle size dependent performance deviation, a reduced loss of permeability (SFC or GBP) and absorbency under high load (AUHL) under mechanical stress, and a reduced dust formation caused by abrasion.

The inventive water-absorbent polymer particles can be mixed with other water-absorbent polymer particles prepared by other processes, i.e. solution polymerization.

C. Fluid-Absorbent Articles

The fluid-absorbent article comprises of

-   (A) an upper liquid-pervious layer -   (B) a lower liquid-impervious layer -   (C) a fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising     -   from 5 to 90% by weight fibrous material and from 10 to 95% by         weight water-absorbent polymer particles;     -   preferably from 20 to 80% by weight fibrous material and from 20         to 80% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles;     -   more preferably from 30 to 75% by weight fibrous material and         from 25 to 70% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles;     -   most preferably from 40 to 70% by weight fibrous material and         from 30 to 60% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles; -   (D) an optional acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C),     comprising     -   from 80 to 100% by weight fibrous material and from 0 to 20% by         weight water-absorbent polymer particles;     -   preferably from 85 to 99.9% by weight fibrous material and from         0.01 to 15% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles;     -   more preferably from 90 to 99.5% by weight fibrous material and         from 0.5 to 10% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles;     -   most preferably from 95 to 99% by weight fibrous material and         from 1 to 5% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles; -   (E) an optional tissue layer disposed immediately above and/or below     (C); and -   (F) other optional components.

Fluid-absorbent articles are understood to mean, for example, incontinence pads and incontinence briefs for adults or diapers for babies. Suitable fluid-absorbent articles including fluid-absorbent compositions comprising fibrous materials and optionally water-absorbent polymer particles to form fibrous webs or matrices for the substrates, layers, sheets and/or the fluid-absorbent core.

Suitable fluid-absorbent articles are composed of several layers whose individual elements must show preferably definite functional parameter such as dryness for the upper liquid-pervious layer, vapor permeability without wetting through for the lower liquid-impervious layer, a flexible, vapor permeable and thin fluid-absorbent core, showing fast absorption rates and being able to retain highest quantities of body fluids, and an acquisition-distribution layer between the upper layer and the core, acting as transport and distribution layer of the discharged body fluids. These individual elements are combined such that the resultant fluid-absorbent article meets overall criteria such as flexibility, water vapor breathability, dryness, wearing comfort and protection on the one side, and concerning liquid retention, rewet and prevention of wet through on the other side. The specific combination of these layers provides a fluid-absorbent article delivering both high protection levels as well as high comfort to the consumer.

Liquid-Pervious Layer (A)

The liquid-pervious layer (A) is the layer which is in direct contact with the skin. Thus, the liquid-pervious layer is preferably compliant, soft feeling and non-irritating to the consumer's skin. Generally, the term “liquid-pervious” is understood thus permitting liquids, i.e. body fluids such as urine, menses and/or vaginal fluids to readily penetrate through its thickness. The principle function of the liquid-pervious layer is the acquisition and transport of body fluids from the wearer towards the fluid-absorbent core. Typically liquid-pervious layers are formed from any materials known in the art such as nonwoven material, films or combinations thereof. Suitable liquid-pervious layers (A) consist of customary synthetic or semisynthetic fibers or bicomponent fibers or films of polyester, polyolefins, rayon or natural fibers or any combinations thereof. In the case of nonwoven materials, the fibers should generally be bound by binders such as polyacrylates. Additionally the liquid-pervious layer may contain elastic compositions thus showing elastic characteristics allowing to be stretched in one or two directions.

Suitable synthetic fibers are made from polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polytetrafluorethylene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylics, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylvinyl acetate, non-soluble or soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polystyrenes and the like.

Examples for films are apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, hydroformed thermoplastic films, reticulated thermoplastic films, porous foams, reticulated foams, and thermoplastic scrims.

Examples of suitable modified or unmodified natural fibers include cotton, bagasse, kemp, flax, silk, wool, wood pulp, chemically modified wood pulp, jute, rayon, ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate.

Suitable wood pulp fibers can be obtained by chemical processes such as the Kraft and sulfite processes, as well as from mechanical processes, such as ground wood, refiner mechanical, thermo-mechanical, chemi-mechanical and chemi-thermo-mechani-cal pulp processes. Further, recycled wood pulp fibers, bleached, unbleached, elementally chlorine free (ECF) or total chlorine free (TCF) wood pulp fibers can be used.

The fibrous material may comprise only natural fibers or synthetic fibers or any combination thereof. Preferred materials are polyester, rayon and blends thereof, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

The fibrous material as a component of the fluid-absorbent compositions may be hydrophilic, hydrophobic or can be a combination of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers. The definition of hydrophilic is given in the section “definitions” in the chapter above. The selection of the ratio hydrophilic/hydrophobic and accordingly the amount of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers within fluid-absorbent composition will depend upon fluid handling properties and the amount of water-absorbent polymer particles of the resulting fluid-absorbent composition. Such, the use of hydrophobic fibers is preferred if the fluid-absorbent composition is adjacent to the wearer of the fluid-absorbent article, that is to be used to replace partially or completely the upper liquid-pervious layer, preferably formed from hydrophobic nonwoven materials. Hydrophobic fibers can also be member of the lower breathable, but fluid-impervious layer, acting there as a fluid-impervious barrier.

Examples for hydrophilic fibers are cellulosic fibers, modified cellulosic fibers, rayon, polyester fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate, hydrophilic nylon and the like. Hydrophilic fibers can also be obtained from hydrophobic fibers which are hydrophilized by e.g. surfactant-treating or silica-treating. Thus, hydrophilic thermoplastic fibers derived from polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyamides, polystyrenes or the like by surfactant-treating or silica-treating.

To increase the strength and the integrity of the upper-layer, the fibers should generally show bonding sites, which act as crosslinks between the fibers within the layer.

Technologies for consolidating fibers in a web are mechanical bonding, thermal bonding and chemical bonding. In the process of mechanical bonding the fibers are entangled mechanically, e.g., by water jets (spunlace) to give integrity to the web. Thermal bonding is carried out by means of rising the temperature in the presence of low-melting polymers. Examples for thermal bonding processes are spunbonding, through-air bonding and resin bonding.

Preferred means of increasing the integrity are thermal bonding, spunbonding, resin bonding, through-air bonding and/or spunlace.

In the case of thermal bonding, thermoplastic material is added to the fibers. Upon thermal treatment at least a portion of this thermoplastic material is melting and migrates to intersections of the fibers caused by capillary effects. These intersections solidify to bond sites after cooling and increase the integrity of the fibrous matrix. Moreover, in the case of chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers, melting and migration of the thermoplastic material has the effect of increasing the pore size of the resultant fibrous layer while maintaining its density and basis weight. Upon wetting, the structure and integrity of the layer remains stable. In summary, the addition of thermoplastic material leads to improved fluid permeability of discharged body fluids and thus to improved acquisition properties.

Suitable thermoplastic materials including polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters, copolyesters, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylics, polyamides, copolyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes and copolymers of any of the mentioned polymers.

Suitable thermoplastic fibers can be made from a single polymer that is a monocomponent fiber. Alternatively, they can be made from more than one polymer, e.g., bi-com-ponent or multicomponent fibers. The term “bicomponent fibers” refers to thermoplastic fibers that comprise a core fiber made from a different fiber material than the shell. Typically, both fiber materials have different melting points, wherein generally the sheath melts at lower temperatures. Bi-component fibers can be concentric or eccentric depending whether the sheath has a thickness that is even or uneven through the cross-sectional area of the bi-component fiber. Advantage is given for eccentric bi-component fibers showing a higher compressive strength at lower fiber thickness. Further bi-com-ponent fibers can show the feature “uncrimped” (unbent) or “crimped” (bent), further bi-component fibers can demonstrate differing aspects of surface lubricity.

Examples of bi-component fibers include the following polymer combinations: polyethylene/polypropylene, polyethylvinyl acetate/polypropylene, polyethylene/polyester, polypropylene/polyester, copolyester/polyester and the like.

Suitable thermoplastic materials have a melting point of lower temperatures that will damage the fibers of the layer; but not lower than temperatures, where usually the fluid-absorbent articles are stored. Preferably the melting point is between about 75° C. and 175° C. The typical length of thermoplastic fibers is from about 0.4 to 6 cm, preferably from about 0.5 to 1 cm. The diameter of thermoplastic fibers is defined in terms of either denier (grams per 9000 meters) or dtex (grams per 10 000 meters). Typical thermoplastic fibers have a dtex in the range from about 1.2 to 20, preferably from about 1.4 to 10.

A further mean of increasing the integrity of the fluid-absorbent composition is the spunbonding technology. The nature of the production of fibrous layers by means of spunbonding is based on the direct spinning of polymeric granulates into continuous filaments and subsequently manufacturing the fibrous layer.

Spunbond fabrics are produced by depositing extruded, spun fibers onto a moving belt in a uniform random manner followed by thermal bonding the fibers. The fibers are separated during the web laying process by air jets. Fiber bonds are generated by applying heated rolls or hot needles to partially melt the polymer and fuse the fibers together. Since molecular orientation increases the melting point, fibers that are not highly drawn can be used as thermal binding fibers. Polyethylene or random ethylene/propylene copolymers are used as low melting bonding sites.

Besides spunbonding, the technology of resin bonding also belongs to thermal bonding subjects. Using this technology to generate bonding sites, specific adhesives, based on e.g. epoxy, polyurethane and acrylic are added to the fibrous material and the resulting matrix is thermal treated. Thus the web is bonded with resin and/or thermal plastic resins dispersed within the fibrous material.

As a further thermal bonding technology through-air bonding involves the application of hot air to the surface of the fibrous fabric. The hot air is circulated just above the fibrous fabric, but does not push through the fibrous fabric. Bonding sites are generated by the addition of binders. Suitable binders used in through-air thermal bonding include crystalline binder fibers, bi-component binder fibers, and powders. When using crystalline binder fibers or powders, the binder melts entirely and forms molten droplets throughout the nonwoven's cross-section. Bonding occurs at these points upon cooling. In the case of sheath/core binder fibers, the sheath is the binder and the core is the carrier fiber. Products manufactured using through-air ovens tend to be bulky, open, soft, strong, extensible, breathable and absorbent. Through-air bonding followed by immediate cold calendering results in a thickness between a hot roll calendered product and one that has been through-air bonded without compression. Even after cold calendering, this product is softer, more flexible and more extensible than area-bond hot-calendered material.

Spunlacing (“hydroentanglement”) is a further method of increasing the integrity of a web. The formed web of loose fibers (usually air-laid or wet-laid) is first compacted and prewetted to eliminate air pockets. The technology of spunlacing uses multiple rows of fine high-speed jets of water to strike the web on a porous belt or moving perforated or patterned screen so that the fibers knot about one another. The water pressure generally increases from the first to the last injectors. Pressures as high as 150 bar are used to direct the water jets onto the web. This pressure is sufficient for most of the nonwoven fibers, although higher pressures are used in specialized applications.

The spunlace process is a nonwovens manufacturing system that employs jets of water to entangle fibers and thereby provide fabric integrity. Softness, drape, conformability, and relatively high strength are the major characteristics of spunlace nonwoven.

In newest researches benefits are found in some structural features of the resulting liquid-pervious layers. For example, the thickness of the layer is very important and influences together with its x-y dimension the acquisition-distribution behavior of the layer. If there is further some profiled structure integrated, the acquisition-distribution behavior can be directed depending on the three-dimensional structure of the layer. Thus 3D-polyethylene in the function of liquid-pervious layer is preferred.

Thus, suitable liquid-pervious layers (A) are nonwoven layers formed from the fibers above by thermal bonding, spunbonding, resin bonding or through-air bonding. Further suitable liquid-pervious layers are 3D-polyethylene layers and spunlace.

Preferably the 3D-polyethylene layers and spunlace show basis weights from 12 to 22 gsm.

Typically liquid-pervious layers (A) extend partially or wholly across the fluid-absorbent structure and can extend into and/or form part of all the preferred sideflaps, side wrapping elements, wings and ears.

Liquid-Impervious Layer (B)

The liquid-impervious layer (B) prevents the exudates absorbed and retained by the fluid-absorbent core from wetting articles which are in contact with the fluid-absorbent article, as for example bedsheets, pants, pyjamas and undergarments. The liquid-impervious layer (B) may thus comprise a woven or a nonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic film of polyethylene or polypropylene, or composite materials such as film-coated nonwoven material.

Suitable liquid-impervious layers include nonwoven, plastics and/or laminates of plastic and nonwoven. Both, the plastics and/or laminates of plastic and nonwoven may appropriately be breathable, that is, the liquid-impervious layer (B) can permit vapors to escape from the fluid-absorbent material. Thus the liquid-impervious layer has to have a definite water vapor transmission rate and at the same time the level of impermeability. To combine these features, suitable liquid-impervious layers including at least two layers, e.g. laminates from fibrous nonwoven having a specified basis weight and pore size, and a continuous three-dimensional film of e.g. polyvinylalcohol as the second layer having a specified thickness and optionally having pore structure. Such laminates acting as a barrier and showing no liquid transport or wet through. Thus, suitable liquid-impervious layers comprising at least a first breathable layer of a porous web which is a fibrous nonwoven, e.g. a composite web of a meltblown nonwoven layer or of a spunbonded nonwoven layer made from synthetic fibers and at least a second layer of a resilient three dimensional web consisting of a liquid-impervious polymeric film, e.g. plastics optionally having pores acting as capillaries, which are preferably not perpendicular to the plane of the film but are disposed at an angle of less than 90° relative to the plane of the film.

Suitable liquid-impervious layers are permeable for vapor. Preferably the liquid-imper-vious layer is constructed from vapor permeable material showing a water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of at least about 100 gsm per 24 hours, preferably at least about 250 gsm per 24 hours and most preferred at least about 500 gsm per 24 hours.

Preferably the liquid-impervious layer (B) is made of nonwoven comprising hydrophobic materials, e.g. synthetic fibers or a liquid-impervious polymeric film comprising plastics e.g. polyethylene. The thickness of the liquid-impervious layer is preferably 15 to 30 μm.

Further, the liquid-impervious layer (B) is preferably made of a laminate of nonwoven and plastics comprising a nonwoven having a density of 12 to 15 gsm and a polyethylene layer having a thickness of about 10 to 20 μm.

The typically liquid-impervious layer (B) extends partially or wholly across the fluid-absorbent structure and can extend into and/or form part of all the preferred sideflaps, side wrapping elements, wings and ears.

Fluid-Absorbent Core (C)

The fluid-absorbent core (C) is disposed between the upper liquid-pervious layer (A) and the lower liquid-impervious layer (B). Suitable fluid-absorbent cores (C) may be selected from any of the fluid-absorbent core-systems known in the art provided that requirements such as vapor permeability, flexibility and thickness are met. Suitable fluid-absorbent cores refer to any fluid-absorbent composition whose primary function is to acquire, transport, distribute, absorb, store and retain discharged body fluids.

The top view area of the fluid-absorbent core (C) is preferably at least 200 cm², more preferably at least 250 cm², most preferably at least 300 cm². The top view area is the part of the core that is face-to-face to the upper liquid-pervious layer.

According to the present invention the fluid-absorbent core can include the following components:

-   an optional core cover -   a fluid storage layer -   an optional dusting layer     1. Optional Core Cover

In order to increase the integrity of the fluid-absorbent core, the core is provided with a cover. This cover may be at the top and/or at the bottom of the fluid-absorbent core. Further, this cover may include the whole fluid-absorbent core with a unitary sheet of material and thus function as a wrap. Wrapping is possible as a full wrap, a partial wrap or as a C-Wrap.

The material of the core cover may comprise any known type of substrate, including webs, garments, textiles, films, tissues and laminates of two or more substrates or webs. The core cover material may comprise natural fibers, such as cellulose, cotton, flax, linen, hemp, wool, silk, fur, hair and naturally occurring mineral fibers. The core cover material may also comprise synthetic fibers such as rayon and lyocell (derived from cellulose), polysaccharides (starch), polyolefin fibers (polypropylene, polyethylene), polyamides, polyester, butadiene-styrene block copolymers, polyurethane and combinations thereof. Preferably, the core cover comprises synthetic fibers or tissue.

The fibers may be mono- or multicomponent. Multicomponent fibers may comprise a homopolymer, a copolymer or blends thereof.

2. Fluid-Storage Layer

The fluid-absorbent compositions included in the fluid-absorbent core comprise fibrous materials and water-absorbent polymer particles.

Fibers useful in the present invention include natural fibers and synthetic fibers. Examples of suitable modified or unmodified natural fibers are given in the chapter “Liquid-pervious Layer (A)” above. From those, wood pulp fibers are preferred.

Examples of suitable synthetic fibers are given in the chapter “Liquid-pervious Layer (A)” above. The fibrous material may comprise only natural fibers or synthetic fibers or any combination thereof.

The fibrous material as a component of the fluid-absorbent compositions may be hydrophilic, hydrophobic or can be a combination of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers.

Generally for the use in a fluid-absorbent core, which is the embedded between the upper layer (A) and the lower layer (B), hydrophilic fibers are preferred. This is especially the case for fluid-absorbent compositions that are desired to quickly acquire, transfer and distribute discharged body fluids to other regions of the fluid-absorbent composition or fluid-absorbent core. The use of hydrophilic fibers is especially preferred for fluid-absorbent compositions comprising water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples for hydrophilic fibers are given in the chapter “Liquid-pervious Layer (A)” above. Preferably, the fluid-absorbent core is made from viscose acetate, polyester and/or polypropylene.

The fibrous material of the fluid-absorbent core may be uniformly mixed to generate a homogenous or inhomogeneous fluid-absorbent core. Alternatively the fibrous material may be concentrated or laid in separate layers optionally comprising water-absorbent polymer material. Suitable storage layers of the fluid-absorbent core comprising homogenous mixtures of fibrous materials comprising water-absorbent polymer material. Suitable storage layers of the fluid-absorbent core including a layered core-system comprise homogenous mixtures of fibrous materials and comprise water-absorbent polymer material, whereby each of the layers may be built from any fibrous material by means known in the art. The sequence of the layers may be directed such that a desired fluid acquisition, distribution and transfer results, depending on the amount and distribution of the inserted fluid-absorbent material, e.g. water-absorbent polymer particles. Preferably there are discrete zones of highest absorption rate or retention within the storage layer of the fluid-absorbent core, formed of layers or inhomogeneous mixtures of the fibrous material, acting as a matrix for the incorporation of water-absorbent polymer particles. The zones may extend over the full area or may form only parts of the fluid-absorbent core.

Suitable fluid-absorbent cores comprise fibrous material and fluid-absorbent material. Suitable is any fluid-absorbent material that is capable of absorbing and retaining body fluids or body exudates such as cellulose wadding, modified and unmodified cellulose, crosslinked cellulose, laminates, composites, fluid-absorbent foams, materials descry-bed as in the chapter “Liquid-pervious Layer (A)” above, water-absorbent polymer particles and combinations thereof.

Typically the fluid-absorbent cores may contain a single type of water-absorbent polymer particles or may contain water-absorbent polymer particles derived from different kinds of water-absorbent polymer material. Thus, it is possible to add water-absorbent polymer particles from a single kind of polymer material or a mixture of water-absorbent polymer particles from different kinds of polymer materials, e.g. a mixture of regular water-absorbent polymer particles, derived from gel polymerization with water-absor-bent polymer particles, derived from dropletization polymerization. Alternatively it is possible to add water-absorbent polymer particles derived from inverse suspension polymerization.

Alternatively it is possible to mix water-absorbent polymer particles showing different feature profiles. Thus, the fluid-absorbent core may contain water-absorbent polymer particles with uniform pH value, or it may contain water-absorbent polymer particles with different pH values, e.g. two- or more component mixtures from water-absorbent polymer particles with a pH in the range from about 4.0 to about 7.0. Preferably, applied mixtures deriving from mixtures of water-absorbent polymer particles got from gel polymerization or inverse suspension polymerization with a pH in the range from about 4.0 to about 7.0 and water-absorbent polymer particles got from dropletization polymerization.

Suitable fluid-absorbent cores are also manufactured from loose fibrous materials by adding fluid-absorbent particles and/or water-absorbent polymer fibers or mixtures thereof. The water-absorbent polymer fibers may be formed from a single type of water-absorbent polymer fiber or may contain water-absorbent polymer fibers from different polymeric materials. The addition of water-absorbent polymer fibers may be preferred for being distributed and incorporated easily into the fibrous structure and remaining better in place than water-absorbent polymer particles. Thus, the tendency of gel blocking caused by contacting each other is reduced. Further, water-absorbent polymer fibers are softer and more flexible.

In the process of manufacturing the fluid-absorbent core, water-absorbent polymer particles and/or fluid-absorbent fibers are brought together with structure forming compounds such as fibrous matrices. Thus, the water-absorbent polymer particles and/or fluid-absorbent fibers may be added during the process of forming the fluid-absorbent core from loose fibers. The fluid-absorbent core may be formed by mixing water-absor-bent polymer particles and/or fluid-absorbent fibers with fibrous materials of the matrix at the same time or adding one component to the mixture of two or more other components either at the same time or by continuously adding.

Suitable fluid-absorbent cores including mixtures of water-absorbent polymer particles and/or fluid-absorbent fibers and fibrous material building matrices for the incorporation of the fluid-absorbent material. Such mixtures can be formed homogenously, that is all components are mixed together to get a homogenous structure. The amount of the fluid-absorbent materials may be uniform throughout the fluid-absorbent core, or may vary, e.g. between the central region and the distal region to give a profiled core concerning the concentration of fluid-absorbent material.

Techniques of application of the water-absorbent polymer materials into the absorbent core are known to persons skilled in the art and may be volumetric, loss-in-weight or gravimetric. Known techniques include the application by vibrating systems, single and multiple auger systems, dosing roll, weigh belt, fluid bed volumetric systems and gravitational sprinkle and/or spray systems. Further techniques of insertion are falling dosage systems consensus and contradictory pneumatic application or vacuum printing method of applying the fluid absorbent polymer materials.

Suitable fluid-absorbent cores may also include layers, which are formed by the process of manufacturing the fluid-absorbent article. The layered structure may be formed by subsequently generating the different layers in z-direction.

Alternatively a core-structure can be formed from two or more preformed layers to get a layered fluid-absorbent core. The layers may have different concentrations of water-absorbent polymer material showing concentrations in the range from about 10 to 95%. These uniform or different layers can be fixed to each other at their adjacent plane surfaces. Alternatively, the layers may be combined in a way that a plurality of chambers is formed, in which separately water-absorbent polymer material is incorporated.

Suitable preformed layers are processed as e.g. air-laid, wet-laid, laminate or composite structure.

Alternatively layers of other materials can be added, e.g. layers of opened or closed celled foams or perforated films. Included do also laminates of at least two layers comprise said water-absorbent polymer material.

Further a composite structure can be formed from a carrier layer (e.g. a polymer film), onto which the water-absorbent polymer material is affixed. The fixation can be done at one side or at both sides. The carrier layer may be pervious or impervious for body-fluids.

Alternatively, it is possible to add monomer solution after the formation of a layer or onto a carrier layer and polymerize the coating solution by means of UV-induced polymerization technologies. Thus, “in situ”-polymerization is a further method for the application of water-absorbent polymers.

Thus, suitable fluid-absorbent cores comprising from 5 to 90% by weight fibrous material and from 10 to 95% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles; preferably from 20 to 80% by weight fibrous material and from 20 to 80% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles; more preferably from 30 to 75% by weight fibrous material and from 25 to 70% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles and most preferably from 40 to 70% by weight fibrous material and from 30 to 60% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles.

The quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles and/or fluid-absorbent fibers within the fluid-absorbent core is from 3 to 20 g, preferably from 6 to 14 g, and from 8 to 12 g in the case of maxi-diapers, and in the case of incontinence products up to about 50 g.

Typically fluid-absorbent articles comprising at least an upper liquid-pervious layer (A), at least a lower liquid-impervious layer (B) and at least one fluid-absorbent core between the layer (A) and the layer (B) besides other optional layers. In order to increase the control of body fluid absorption and/or to increase the flexibility in the ratio weight percentages of water-absorbent polymer particles to fibrous matrix it may be advantageous to add one or more further fluid-absorbent cores. The addition of a second fluid-absorbent core to the first fluid-absorbent core offers more possibilities in body fluid transfer and distribution. Moreover higher quantities of discharged body fluids can be retained. Having the opportunity of combining several layers showing different water-absorbent polymer concentration and content, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the fluid-absorbent article to a minimum even if there are several fluid-absorbent cores included.

Suitable fluid-absorbent cores may be formed from any material known in the art which is designed to acquire, transfer, and retain discharged body fluids. The technology of manufacturing may also be anyone known in the art. Preferred technologies include the application of monomer-solution to a transported fibrous matrix and thereby polymerizing, known as in-situ technology, or the manufacturing of air-laid composites.

Suitable fluid-absorbent articles are including single or multi-core systems in any combination with other layers which are typically found in fluid-absorbent articles. Preferred fluid-absorbent articles include single- or double-core systems; most preferably fluid-absorbent articles include a single fluid-absorbent core.

The fluid-absorbent core typically has a uniform size or profile. Suitable fluid-absorbent cores can also have profiled structures, concerning the shape of the core and/or the content of water-absorbent polymer particles and/or the distribution of the water-absorbent polymer particles and/or the dimensions of the different layers if a layered fluid-absorbent core is present.

It is known that absorbent cores providing a good wet immobilization by combining several layers, e.g. a substrate layer, layers of water-absorbent polymer and layers of thermoplastic material. Suitable absorbent cores may also comprise tissue or tissue laminates. Known in the art are single or double layer tissue laminates formed by folding the tissue or the tissue laminate onto itself.

These layers or foldings are preferably joined to each e.g. by addition of adhesives or by mechanical, thermal or ultrasonic bonding or combinations thereof. Water-absorbent polymer particles may be comprised within or between the individual layers, e.g. by forming separate water-absorbent polymer-layers.

Thus, according to the number of layers or the height of a voluminous core, the resulting thickness of the fluid-absorbent core will be determined. Thus, fluid-absorbent cores may be flat as one layer (plateau) or have three-dimensional profile.

Generally the upper liquid-pervious layer (A) and the lower liquid-impervious layer (B) may be shaped and sized according to the requirements of the various types of fluid-absorbent articles and to accommodate various wearer's sizes. Thus, the combination of the upper liquid-pervious layer and the lower liquid-impervious layer may have all dimensions or shapes known in the art. Suitable combinations have an hourglass shape, rectangular shape, trapezoidal shape, t- or double t-shape or showing anatomical dimensions.

The fluid-absorbent core may comprise additional additives typically present in fluid-absorbent articles known in the art. Exemplary additives are fibers for reinforcing and stabilizing the fluid-absorbent core. Preferably polyethylene is used for reinforcing the fluid-absorbent core.

Further suitable stabilizers for reinforcing the fluid-absorbent core are materials acting as binder.

In varying the kind of binder material or the amount of binder used in different regions of the fluid-absorbent core it is possible to get a profiled stabilization. For example, different binder materials exhibiting different melting temperatures may be used in regions of the fluid-absorbent core, e.g. the lower melting one in the central region of the core, and the higher melting in the distal regions. Suitable binder materials may be adhesive or non-adhesive fibers, continuously or discontinuously extruded fibers, bi-component staple fibers, nonelastomeric fibers and sprayed liquid binder or any combination of these binder materials.

Further, thermoplastic compositions usually are added to increase the integrity of the core layer. Thermoplastic compositions may comprise a single type of thermoplastic polymers or a blend of thermoplastic polymers. Alternatively, the thermoplastic composition may comprise hot melt adhesives comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer together with thermoplastic diluents such as tackifiers, plasticizers or other additives, e.g. antioxidants. The thermoplastic composition may further comprise pressure sensitive hot melt adhesives comprising e.g. crystalline polypropylene and an amorphous polyalphaolefin or styrene block copolymer and mixture of waxes.

Suitable thermoplastic polymers are styrenic block copolymers including A-B-A triblock segments, A-B diblock segments and (A-B)_(n) radial block copolymer segments. The letter A designs non-elastomeric polymer segments, e.g. polystyrene, and B stands for unsaturated conjugated diene or their (partly) hydrogenated form. Preferably B comprises isoprene, butadiene, ethylene/butylene (hydrogenated butadiene), ethylene/pro-pylene (hydrogenated isoprene) and mixtures thereof.

Other suitable thermoplastic polymers are amorphous polyolefins, amorphous polyalphaolefins and metallocene polyolefins.

Concerning odor control, perfumes and/or odor control additives are optionally added. Suitable odor control additives are all substances of reducing odor developed in carrying fluid-absorbent articles over time known in the art. Thus, suitable odor control additives are inorganic materials, such as zeolites, activated carbon, bentonite, silica, aerosile, kieselguhr, clay; chelants such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), cyclodextrins, aminopolycarbonic acids, ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid, aminophosphate, polyfunctional aromates, N,N-disuccinic acid.

Suitable odor control additives are further antimicrobial agents such as quaternary ammonium, phenolic, amide and nitro compounds and mixtures thereof; bactericides such as silver salts, zinc salts, cetylpyridinium chloride and/or triclosan as well as surfactants having an HLB value of less than 12.

Suitable odor control additives are further compounds with anhydride groups such as maleic-, itaconic-, polymaleic- or polyitaconic anhydride, copolymers of maleic acid with C₂-C₈ olefins or styrene, polymaleic anhydride or copolymers of maleic anhydride with isobutene, di-isobutene or styrene, compounds with acid groups such as ascorbic, benzoic, citric, salicylic or sorbic acid and fluid-soluble polymers of monomers with acid groups, homo- or co-polymers of C₃-C₅ mono-unsaturated carboxylic acids.

Suitable odor control additives are further perfumes such as allyl caproate, allyl cyclohexaneacetate, allyl cyclohexanepropionate, allyl heptanoate, amyl acetate, amyl propionate, anethol, anixic aldehyde, anisole, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetete, benzyl acetone, benzyl alcohole, benzyl butyrate, benzyl formate, camphene, camphor gum, laevo-carveol, cinnamyl formate, cis-jasmone, citral, citronellol and its derivatives, cuminic alcohol and its derivatives, cyclal C, dimethyl benzyl carbinol and its derivatives, dimethyl octanol and its derivatives, eucalyptol, geranyl derivatives, lavandulyl acetete, ligustral, d-limonene, linalool, linalyl derivatives, menthone and its derivatives, myrcene and its derivatives, neral, nerol, p-cresol, p-cymene, orange terpenes, alpha-ponene, 4-terpineol, thymol etc.

Masking agents are also used as odor control additives. Masking agents are in solid wall material encapsulated perfumes. Preferably, the wall material comprises a fluid-soluble cellular matrix which is used for time-delay release of the perfume ingredient.

Further suitable odor control additives are transition metals such as Cu, Ag, and Zn, enzymes such as urease-inhibitors, starch, pH buffering material, chitin, green tea plant extracts, ion exchange resin, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, sulfate or mixtures thereof.

Preferred odor control additives are green tea plant extracts, silica, zeolite, carbon, starch, chelating agent, pH buffering material, chitin, kieselguhr, clay, ion exchange resin, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, sulfate, masking agent or mixtures thereof. Suitable concentrations of odor control additives are from about 0.5 to about 300 gsm.

Newest developments propose the addition of wetness indication additives. Besides electrical monitoring the wetness in the fluid-absorbent article, wetness indication additives comprising a hot melt adhesive with a wetness indicator are known. The wetness indication additive changes the colour from yellow to a relatively dark and deep blue. This colour change is readily perceivable through the liquid-impervious outer material of the fluid-absorbent article. Existing wetness indication is also achieved via application of water soluble ink patterned on the backsheet which disappears when wet.

Suitable wetness indication additives comprising a mixture of sorbitan monooleate and polyethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil. Preferably, the amount of the wetness indication additive is in the range of about 1 to 5% by weight related to the weight of the fluid-absorbent core.

The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is in the range of 600 to 1200 gsm. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is in the range of 0.1 to 0.25 g/cm³. The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core is in the case of diapers in the range of 1 to 5 mm, preferably 1.5 to 3 mm, in the case of incontinence products in the range of 3 to 15 mm.

3. Optional Dusting Layer

An optional component for inclusion into the absorbent core is a dusting layer adjacent to. The dusting layer is a fibrous layer and may be placed on the top and/or the bottom of the absorbent core. Typically, the dusting layer is underlying the storage layer. This underlying layer is referred to as a dusting layer, since it serves as carrier for deposited water-absorbent polymer particles during the manufacturing process of the fluid-absor-bent core. If the water-absorbent polymer material is in the form of macrostructures, films or flakes, the insertion of a dusting layer is not necessary. In the case of water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization, the particles have a smooth surface with no edges. Also in this case, the addition of a dusting layer to the fluid-absorbent core is not necessary. On the other side, as a great advantage the dusting layer provides some additional fluid-handling properties such as wicking performance and may offer reduced incidence of pin-holing and or pock marking of the liquid impervious layer (B).

Preferably, the dusting layer is a fibrous layer comprising fluff (cellulose fibers).

Optional Acquisition-Distribution Layer (D)

An optional acquisition-distribution layer (D) is located between the upper layer (A) and the fluid-absorbent core (C) and is preferably constructed to efficiently acquire discharged body fluids and to transfer and distribute them to other regions of the fluid-absorbent composition or to other layers, where the body fluids are immobilized and stored. Thus, the upper layer transfers the discharged liquid to the acquisition-distribu-tion layer (D) for distributing it to the fluid-absorbent core.

The acquisition-distribution layer comprises fibrous material and optionally water-absorbent polymer particles.

The fibrous material may be hydrophilic, hydrophobic or can be a combination of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers. It may be derived from natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a combination of both.

Suitable acquisition-distribution layers are formed from cellulosic fibers and/or modified cellulosic fibers and/or synthetics or combinations thereof. Thus, suitable acquisition-distribution layers may contain cellulosic fibers, in particular wood pulp fluff. Examples of further suitable hydrophilic, hydrophobic fibers, as well as modified or unmodified natural fibers are given in the chapter “Liquid-pervious Layer (A)” above.

Especially for providing both fluid acquisition and distribution properties, the use of modified cellulosic fibers is preferred. Examples for modified cellulosic fibers are chemically treated cellulosic fibers, especially chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers. The term “chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers” means cellulosic fibers that have been stiffened by chemical means to increase the stiffness of the fibers. Such means include the addition of chemical stiffening agent in the form of coatings and impregnates. Suitable polymeric stiffening agents can include: cationic modified starches having nitrogen-containing groups, latexes, wet strength resins such as polyamide-epichlorohydrin resin, polyacrylamide, urea formaldehyde and melamine formaldehyde resins and polyethylenimine resins.

Stiffening may also include altering the chemical structure, e.g. by crosslinking polymer chains. Thus crosslinking agents can be applied to the fibers that are caused to chemically form intrafiber crosslink bonds. Further cellulosic fibers may be stiffened by cross-link bonds in individualized form. Suitable chemical stiffening agents are typically monomeric crosslinking agents including C₂-C₈ dialdehyde, C₂-C₈ monoaldehyde having an acid functionality, and especially C₂-C₉ polycarboxylic acids.

Preferably the modified cellulosic fibers are chemically treated cellulosic fibers. Especially preferred are curly fibers which can be obtained by treating cellulosic fibers with citric acid. Preferably the basis weight of cellulosic fibers and modified cellulosic fibers is from 50 to 200 gsm.

Suitable acquisition-distribution layers further include synthetic fibers. Known examples of synthetic fibers are found in the Chapter “Liquid-pervious Layer (A)” above. 3D-poly-ethylene in the function of acquisition-distribution layer is preferred.

Further, as in the case of cellulosic fibers, hydrophilic synthetic fibers are preferred. Hydrophilic synthetic fibers may be obtained by chemical modification of hydrophobic fibers. Preferably, hydrophilization is carried out by surfactant treatment of hydrophobic fibers. Thus the surface of the hydrophobic fiber can be rendered hydrophilic by treatment with a nonionic or ionic surfactant, e.g., by spraying the fiber with a surfactant or by dipping the fiber into a surfactant. Further preferred are permanent hydrophilic synthetic fibers.

The fibrous material of the acquisition-distribution layer may be fixed to increase the strength and the integrity of the layer. Technologies for consolidating fibers in a web are mechanical bonding, thermal bonding and chemical bonding. Detailed description of the different methods of increasing the integrity of the web is given in the Chapter “Liquid-pervious Layer (A)” above.

Preferred acquisition-distribution layers comprise fibrous material and water-absorbent polymer particles distributed within. The water-absorbent polymer particles may be added during the process of forming the layer from loose fibers, or, alternatively, it is possible to add monomer solution after the formation of the layer and polymerize the coating solution by means of UV-induced polymerization technologies. Thus, “in situ”-polymerization is a further method for the application of water-absorbent polymers.

Thus, suitable acquisition-distribution layers comprising from 80 to 100% by weight fibrous material and from 0 to 20% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles; preferably from 85 to 99.9% by weight fibrous material and from 0.1 to 15% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles; more preferably from 90 to 99.5% by weight fibrous material and from 0.5 to 10% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles; and most preferably from 95 to 99% by weight fibrous material and from 1 to 5% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles.

Preferred acquisition-distribution layers show basis weights in the range from 20 to 200 gsm, most preferred in the range from 40 to 50 gsm, depending on the concentration of water-absorbent polymer particles.

Optional Tissue Layer (E)

An optional tissue layer is disposed immediately above and/or below (C).

The material of the tissue layer may comprise any known type of substrate, including webs, garments, textiles and films. The tissue layer may comprise natural fibers, such as cellulose, cotton, flax, linen, hemp, wool, silk, fur, hair and naturally occurring mineral fibers. The tissue layer may also comprise synthetic fibers such as rayon and lyocell (derived from cellulose), polysaccharides (starch), polyolefin fibers (polypropylene, polyethylene), polyamides, polyester, butadiene-styrene block copolymers, polyurethane and combinations thereof. Preferably, the tissue layer comprises cellulose fibers.

Other Optional Components (F)

1. Leg Cuff

Typical leg cuffs comprising nonwoven materials which can be formed by direct extrusion processes during which the fibers and the nonwoven materials are formed at the same time, or by laying processes of preformed fibers which can be laid into nonwoven materials at a later point of time. Examples for direct extrusion processes include spunbonding, meltblowing, solvent spinning, electrospinning and combinations thereof. Examples of laying processes include wet-laying and dry-laying (e.g. air-laying, carding) methods. Combinations of the processes above include spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (sms), spunbond-meltblow-meltblown-spunbond (smms), spunbond-carded (sc), spunbond-airlaid (sa), meltblown-airlaid (ma) and combinations thereof. The combinations including direct extrusion can be combined at the same point in time or at a subsequent point in time. In the examples above, one or more individual layers can be produced by each process. Thus, “sms” means a three layer nonwoven material, “smsms” or “ssmms” means a five layer nonwoven material. Usually, small type letters (sms) designate individual layers, whereas capital letters (SMS) designate the compilation of similar adjacent layers.

Further, suitable leg cuffs are provided with elastic strands.

Preferred are leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combinations sms, smms or smsms. Preferred are nonwovens with the density of 13 to 17 gsm. Preferably leg cuffs are provided with two elastic strands.

2. Elastics

The elastics are used for securely holding and flexibly closing the fluid-absorbent article around the wearer's body, e.g. the waist and the legs to improve containment and fit. Leg elastics are placed between the outer and inner layers or the fluid-absorbent article, or between the outer cover and the bodyside liner. Suitable elastics comprising sheets, ribbons or strands of thermoplastic polyurethane, elastomeric materials, poly(ether-amide) block copolymers, thermoplastic rubbers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, silicon rubbers, natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, styrene isoprene copolymers, styrene ethylene butylene copolymers, nylon copolymers, spandex fibers comprising segmented polyurethane and/or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The elastics may be secured to a substrate after being stretched, or secured to a stretched substrate. Otherwise, the elastics may be secured to a substrate and then elastisized or shrunk, e.g. by the application of heat.

3. Closing System

The closing system includes tape tabs, landing zone, elastomerics, pull ups and the belt system.

At least a part of the first waist region is attached to a part of the second waist region by the closing system to hold the fluid-absorbent article in place and to form leg openings and the waist of the fluid-absorbent article. Preferably the fluid-absorbent article is provided with a re-closable closing system.

The closing system is either re-sealable or permanent, including any material suitable for such a use, e.g. plastics, elastics, films, foams, nonwoven substrates, woven substrates, paper, tissue, laminates, fiber reinforced plastics and the like, or combinations thereof. Preferably the closing system includes flexible materials and works smooth and softly without irritating the wearer's skin.

One part of the closing elements is an adhesive tape, or comprises a pair of laterally extending tabs disposed on the lateral edges of the first waist region. Tape tabs are typically attached to the front body panel and extend laterally from each corner of the first waistband. These tape tabs include an adhesive inwardly facing surface which is typically protected prior to use by a thin, removable cover sheet.

Suitable tape tabs may be formed of thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyester, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate acrylate or ethylene acrylic acid copolymers.

Suitable closing systems comprise further a hook portion of a hook and loop fastener and the target devices comprise the loop portion of a hook and loop fastener.

Suitable mechanical closing systems including a landing zone. Mechanical closing systems may fasten directly into the outer cover. The landing zone may act as an area of the fluid-absorbent article into which it is desirable to engage the tape tabs. The landing zone may include a base material and a plurality of tape tabs. The tape tabs may be embedded in the base material of the landing zone. The base material may include a loop material. The loop material may include a backing material and a layer of a nonwoven spunbond web attacked to the backing material.

Thus suitable landing zones can be made by spunbonding. Spunbonded nonwovens are made from melt-spun fibers formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material. Preferred is bioriented polypropylene (BOPP), or brushed/closed loop in the case of mechanical closing systems.

Further, suitable mechanical closing systems including elastic units serving as a flexible waist band for fluid-absorbents articles, such as pants or pull-ups. The elastic units enabling the fluid-absorbent article to be pulled down by the wearer as e.g. a training pant.

Suitable pants-shaped fluid-absorbent article has front section, rear section, crotch section, side sections for connecting the front and rear sections in lateral direction, hip section, elastic waist region and liquid-tight outer layer. The hip section is arranged around the waist of the user. The disposable pants-shaped fluid-absorbent article (pull-up) has favorable flexibility, stretchability, leak-proof property and fit property, hence imparts excellent comfort to the wearer.

Suitable pull-ups comprising thermoplastic films, sheets and laminates having a low modulus, good tear strength and high elastic recovery.

Suitable closing systems may further comprise elastomerics for the production of elastic areas within the fastening devices of the fluid-absorbent article. Elastomerics provide a conformable fit of the fluid-absorbent article to the wearer at the waist and leg openings, while maintaining adequate performance against leakage.

Suitable elastomerics are elastomeric polymers or elastic adhesive materials showing vapor permeability and liquid barrier properties. Preferred elastomerics are retractable after elongation to a length equivalent to its original length.

Suitable closing systems further comprise a belt system, comprising waist-belt and leg-belts for flexibly securing the fluid-absorbent article on the body of the wearer and to provide an improved fit on the wearer. Suitable waist-belts comprising two elastic belts, a left elastic belt, and a right elastic belt. The left elastic belt is associated with each of the left angular edges. The right elastic belt associated with each of the right angular edges. The left and right side belts are elastically extended when the absorbent garment is laid flat. Each belt is connected to and extends between the front and rear of the fluid-absorbent article to form a waist hole and leg holes.

Preferably the belt system is made of elastomerics, thus providing a conformable fit of the fluid-absorbent article and maintaining adequate performance against leakage.

D. Fluid-Absorbent Article Construction

The present invention further relates to the joining of the components and layers, films, sheets, tissues or substrates mentioned above to provide the fluid-absorbent article. At least two, preferably all layers, films, sheets, tissues or substrates are joined.

Suitable fluid-absorbent articles include a single- or multiple fluid-absorbent core-system. Preferably fluid-absorbent articles include a single- or double fluid-absorbent core-system.

Suitable fluid-storage layers of the fluid-absorbent core comprising homogenous or inhomogeneous mixtures of fibrous materials comprising water-absorbent polymer particles homogeneously or inhomogeneously dispersed in it. Suitable fluid-storage layers of the fluid-absorbent core including a layered fluid-absorbent core-system comprising homogenous mixtures of fibrous materials and optionally comprising water-absorbent polymer particles, whereby each of the layers may be prepared from any fibrous material by means known in the art.

In order to immobilize the water-absorbent polymer particles, the adjacent layers are fixed by the means of thermoplastic materials, thereby building connections throughout the whole surface or alternatively in discrete areas of junction. For the latter case, cavities or pockets are built carrying the fluid-absorbent particles. The areas of junction may have a regular or irregular pattern, e.g. aligned with the longitudinal axis of the fluid-absorbent core or in a pattern of polygons, e.g. pentagons or hexagons. The areas of junction itself may be of rectangular, circular or squared shape with diameters between about 0.5 mm and 2 mm. Fluid-absorbent articles comprising areas of junction show a better wet strength.

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

In order to describe the present invention in detail, embodiments are generated which are described hereinafter.

Thus, preferred fluid-absorbent articles are subsequently described in detail.

Embodiment 1

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 1 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising between     10 to 50% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles based on the     total absorbent core weight and including a multi-layered     fluid-storage section comprising the following sequence: -   a homogenous upper core fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) containing about 50% of the     total fluff amount; -   a fluid-absorbent layer comprising water-absorbent polymer     particles; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at     least 30 g/g; -   a homogenous lower core fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) containing about 50% of the     total fluff amount and acting as a dusting layer; and -   an air-through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 30 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to about     250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 1

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a multi-layered single core system each layer having a uniform rectangular size. The layered fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprises a multi-layered system of hydrophilic fibers (cellulose fibers, fluff pulp fibers). The total fluff pulp weight is 20.45 g divided equally between upper core (1) and lower core (3). The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.18 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.17 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.15 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 802.75 gsm, for the insult zone 825.94 gsm, for the back overall average 766.14 gsm.

Fluid-absorbent layer (2) holds 31.38% by weight distributed water-absorbent polymer particles, the quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 9.34 g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described example 1, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 33.0 g/g -   SFC of 12×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 24.6 g/g -   Moisture content of 6.0 wt. % -   Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 37.5 cm; width: 10.0     cm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 50 gsm is rectangular shaped with dimensions of 20 cm×10 cm and smaller than the fluid-absorbent core.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 1 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     4.6 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 18.3 cm×4.0     cm and flexiband closure tapes of 3.4 cm×1.0 cm; attached to hook     fastening tape of 3.4 cm×1.4 cm -   Also incorporated is elasticated waistband located to the rear of     the product with dimensions of 14.6 cm×4.5 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 49.6 cm; front width: 34.0 cm; crotch width: 24.0 cm; rear width: 34.3 cm.

Embodiment 2

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 2 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a thermalbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising between     40 to 80% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles based on the     total absorbent core weight and including a multi-layered     fluid-storage section comprising the following sequence: -   a homogenous upper core fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) containing about 50% of the     total fluff amount; -   a fluid-absorbent layer comprising water-absorbent polymer     particles; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least     20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; -   a homogenous lower core fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) containing about 50% of the     total fluff amount and acting as a dusting layer; and -   an air-through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to about     250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 2

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a multi-layered single core system each layer having a uniform rectangular size. The layered fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprises a multi-layered system of hydrophilic fibers (cellulose fibers, fluff pulp fibers). The total fluff pulp weight is 12 g divided equally between upper core (1) and lower core (3). The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.19 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.20 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.18 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 989 gsm, for the insult zone 1101 gsm, for the back overall average 664 gsm. The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 4.5 mm.

The fluid-absorbent layer (2) holds 56.5% by weight distributed water-absorbent polymer particles, the quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 12 g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 13a, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 29.2 g/g -   SFC of 40×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 19.6 g/g -   Moisture content of 12.6 wt. % -   Vortex time of 56 s -   GBP of 34 Darcies

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 38 cm; width: 10 cm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 50 gsm is rectangular shaped with dimensions of 24 cm×8 cm and smaller than the fluid-absorbent core.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 1 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     4.6 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 18.3 cm×4.0     can and flexiband closure tapes of 3.4 cm×1.0 cm; attached to hook     fastening tape of 3.4 cm×1.4 cm -   Also incorporated is elasticated waistband located to the rear of     the product with dimensions of 14.6×4.5 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 49.6 cm; front width: 34.0 cm; crotch width: 24.0 cm; rear width: 34.3 cm.

Embodiment 3

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 3 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond web (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a     mixture of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and between 10 to 50%     by weight homogeneously distributed water-absorbent polymer     particles within the fluid-absorbent core (C); suitable     water-absorbent polymer particles for such construction having a     centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at least 30 g/g; the     fluid-absorbent core is further comprising a dusting layer adjacent     to the liquid-impervious layer (B) and underlying the     fluid-absorbent core above; the dusting layer is a fibrous layer     comprising fluff only (cellulose fibers); and -   an air-through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 30 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to about     250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 3

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a single fluid-absorbent Core between (A) and (B) comprising a mixture of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and 37.11% by weight homogeneously distributed water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core (C) having a uniform rectangular size. The quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 11.38 g. The total fluff pulp weight is 19.25 g. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.22 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.18 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.18 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 914.18 gsm, for the insult zone 925.47 gsm, for the back overall average 886.32 gsm.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 7, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 32.0 g/g -   SFC of 20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 24.0 g/g -   Extractables of 1.7 wt. % -   Residual monomers of 866 ppm -   Moisture content of 5.8 wt. % -   FSR of 0.31 g/gs

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 39.2 cm; width: 10.0 cm.

The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 4.7 mm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 40 gsm is rectangular shaped with dimensions of 24.4 cm×8.6 cm and smaller than the fluid-absorbent core.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 1 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     3.0 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 18.9 cm×3.8     cm and flexiband closure tapes of 1.6 cm×3.4 cm; attached to hook     fastening tape of 1.3 cm×3.4 cm -   also incorporated is elasticated waistband located to the rear of     the product with dimensions of 10.8 cm×2.8 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 47.8 cm; front width: 31.5 cm; crotch width: 20.6 cm; rear width: 31.1 cm.

Embodiment 4

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 4 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond web (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a     mixture of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and between 40 to 80%     by weight homogeneously distributed water-absorbent polymer     particles within the fluid-absorbent core; suitable water-absorbent     polymer particles for such construction having a saline flow     conductivity (SFC) of at least 20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; and -   a system of two acquisition-distribution layers between (A) and (C),     comprising an upper resinbonded layer having a basis weight of 40 to     80 gsm; the upper acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular     shaped having a size of about 150 to about 250 cm²; the lower     acquisition-distribution layer comprising of modified cellulosic     fibers (e.g. from Buckeye Technologies Inc.) having a basis weight     of 40 to 80 gsm and a size of about 100 to about 300 cm²; both     acquisition-distribution layers are smaller than the fluid-absorbent     core.

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 4

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a mixture of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and 67.12% by weight homogeneously distributed water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core (C) having a uniform rectangular size. The fluid-absorbent core is encapsulated by wrapping with a spunbond material having a basis weight of 10 gsm. The quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 12.18 g. The total fluff pulp weight is 5.95 g. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.19 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.18 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.18 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 965.79 gsm, for the insult zone 913.38 gsm, for the back overall average 658.85 gsm.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 14e, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 31.5 g/g -   SFC of 49×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 24.0 g/g -   Moisture content of 6.2 wt. % -   Vortex time of 65 s

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.0 cm; width: 10.0 cm.

The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 4.4 mm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 60 gsm is rectangular shaped with dimensions of 24.0 cm×7.5 cm and smaller than the fluid-absorbent core.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 2 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     3.3 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 19.8 cm×5.0     cm and flexiband closure tapes of 3.5 cm×2.7 cm consisting of     pressure sensitive adhesive zone 3.5 cm×1.5 cm and mechanical hook     of 3.5 cm×1.2 cm

For improving the fit of the fluid-absorbent article, the product of embodiment 4 provides a stretchable side panel and a reduced width chassis.

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 48.0 cm; front width: 32.3 cm; crotch width: 20.3 cm; rear width: 31.0 cm.

Embodiment 5

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 5 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a double fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a     homogenous mixture of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and     water-absorbent polymer particles as primary core and a layered     secondary fluid-absorbent core; the total double fluid-absorbent     core comprising the following sequence: -   a homogenous primary core of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp     fibers (cellulose fibers) comprising between 10 to 50% by weight     water-absorbent polymer particles based on the primary absorbent     core weight; the primary core contains about 30% of the total fluff     amount; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at     least 30 g/g; -   a secondary core upper fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers); the secondary core upper layer     contains about 35% of the total fluff amount; -   a fluid-absorbent layer comprising between 10 to 50% by weight     water-absorbent polymer particles based on the secondary absorbent     core weight; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at     least 30 g/g; -   a secondary core lower fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) acting as a dusting layer; the     lower core contains about 35% of the total fluff amount; and -   an air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 30 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to     about 250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 5

The total fluid-absorbent core includes a double-core system, the primary and secondary cores each having an almost uniform rectangular size. The primary core is smaller than the secondary core and is positioned 6 cm from the front distal edge of the secondary core and 10 cm from the rear distal edge of the secondary core and is 9 cm in width. The primary fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a homogenous mixture of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp fibers and 25% by weight of water absorbent polymer particles. The primary core has a total weight of 8 g. The secondary core is a multi-layered system of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and 30% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles. The quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the secondary fluid-absorbent core is 6.0 g. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.15 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.19 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.18 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 790.63 gsm, for the insult zone 1121.38 gsm, for the back overall average 976.83 gsm.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 10, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 35.5 g/g -   SFC of 16×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 26.2 g/g -   Moisture content of 1.8 wt. %

Dimension of the secondary fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.8 cm; front width: 10.5 cm; crotch width: 9.3 cm; rear width: 10.3 cm.

The total thickness of both fluid-absorbent cores has an average of 5.4 mm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 40 gsm is rectangular shaped and smaller than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of 19.7 cm×7.6 cm.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 2 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     3.8 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 22.0 cm×4.0     cm and flexiband closure tapes of 3.4 cm×1.5 cm; attached to hook     fastening tape of 3.4 cm×1.4 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 48.0 cm; front width: 29.7 cm; crotch width: 22.0 cm; rear width: 31.6 cm.

Embodiment 6

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 6 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a double fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a     homogenous mixture of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and     water-absorbent polymer particles as primary core and a layered     secondary fluid-absorbent core; the total double fluid-absorbent     core comprising the following sequence: -   a homogenous primary core of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp     fibers (cellulose fibers) comprising between 40 to 80% by weight     water-absorbent polymer particles based on the primary absorbent     core weight; the primary core contains about 50% of the total fluff     amount; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least     20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; -   a secondary core upper fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers); the secondary core upper layer     contains about 25% of the total fluff amount; -   a fluid-absorbent layer comprising between 40 to 80% by weight     water-absorbent polymer particles based on the secondary absorbent     core weight; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least     20×10⁷ cm³s/g; -   a secondary core lower fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) acting as a dusting layer; the     lower core contains about 25% of the total fluff amount; and -   an air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to     about 250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 6

The total fluid-absorbent core includes a double-core system, the primary and secondary cores each having an almost uniform rectangular size. The primary core is smaller than the secondary core and is positioned 6 cm from the front distal edge of the secondary core and 10 cm from the rear distal edge of the secondary core and is 9 cm in width. The primary fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a homogenous mixture of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp fibers and 50% by weight of water absorbent polymer particles. The primary core has a total weight of 8 g. The secondary core is a multi-layered system of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and 50% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles. The quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the secondary fluid-absorbent core is 10.0 g. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.19 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.19 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.18 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 813.46 gsm, for the insult zone 1209.15 gsm, for the back overall average 986.27 gsm.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 18b, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 33.6 g/g -   SFC of 45×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 18.7 g/g -   Moisture content of 5.5 wt. % -   Vortex time of 57 s -   GBP of 33 Darcies

Dimension of the secondary fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.8 cm; front width: 10.0 cm; crotch width: 9.0 cm; rear width: 10.0 cm.

The total thickness of both fluid-absorbent cores has an average of 3.9 mm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 60 gsm is rectangular shaped and smaller than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of 19.0 cm×7.6 cm.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 2 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     3.8 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 22.0 cm×4.0     cm and flexiband closure tapes of 3.4 cm×1.5 cm; attached to hook     fastening tape of 3.4 cm×1.4 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 48.0 cm; front width: 29.7 cm; crotch width: 20.0 cm; rear width: 31.6 cm.

Embodiment 7

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 7 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a double fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a     homogenous mixture of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and     polymer particles for each the primary core and the secondary     fluid-absorbent core; the total double fluid-absorbent core     comprising: -   a homogenous primary core of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp     fibers (cellulose fibers) comprising between 10 to 50% by weight     water-absorbent polymer particles based on the primary absorbent     core weight; the primary core contains about 30% of the total fluff     amount; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at     least 30 g/g; -   a homogenous secondary core of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood     pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) comprising between 10 to 50% by     weight water-absorbent polymer particles based on the secondary     absorbent core weight; the secondary core contains about 70% of the     total fluff amount; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for     such construction having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at     least 30 g/g; and -   an air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 30 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to     about 250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 7

The total fluid-absorbent core includes a double-core system, the primary and secondary cores each having an almost uniform rectangular size. The primary core is smaller than the secondary core and is positioned 6 cm from the front distal edge of the secondary core and 10 cm from the rear distal edge of the secondary core and is 9 cm in width. The primary fluid-absorbent core between (A) and the secondary fluid-absorbent core comprising a homogenous mixture of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp fibers and 25% by weight of water absorbent polymer particles. The primary core has a total weight of 8 g. The secondary core between the primary core and (B) comprising a homogenous mixture of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp fibers and 30% by weight of water absorbent polymer particles. The quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the secondary fluid-absorbent core is 6.0 g. The secondary core has a total weight of 20 g. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.15 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.19 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.18 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 790.63 gsm, for the insult zone 1121.38 gsm, for the back overall average 976.83 gsm.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 13c, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 31.5 g/g -   SFC of 35×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 22.9 g/g -   Moisture content of 7.9 wt. % -   Vortex time of 63 s -   GBP of 34 Darcies

Dimension of the secondary fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.8 cm; front width: 10.5 cm; crotch width: 9.3 cm; rear width: 10.3 cm

The total thickness of both fluid-absorbent cores has an average of 5.4 mm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 40 gsm is rectangular shaped and smaller than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of 19.7 cm×7.6 cm.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 2 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     3.8 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 22.0 cm×4.0     and flexiband closure tapes of 3.4 cm×1.5 cm; attached to hook     fastening tape of 3.4 cm×1.4 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 48.0 cni; front width: 29.7 cm; crotch width: 22.0 cm; rear width: 31.6 cm.

Embodiment 8

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 8 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a double fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising a     homogenous mixture of wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) and     polymer particles for each the primary core and the secondary     fluid-absorbent core; the total double fluid-absorbent core     comprising: -   a homogenous primary core of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp     fibers (cellulose fibers) comprising between 40 to 80% by weight     water-absorbent polymer particles based on the primary absorbent     core weight; the primary core contains about 50% of the total fluff     amount; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least     20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; -   a homogenous secondary core of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood     pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) comprising between 40 to 70% by     weight water-absorbent polymer particles based on the secondary     absorbent core weight; the secondary core contains about 50% of the     total fluff amount; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for     such construction having a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at     least 20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; and -   an air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to     about 250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 8

The total fluid-absorbent core includes a double-core system, the primary and secondary cores each having an almost uniform rectangular size. The primary core is smaller than the secondary core and is positioned 6 cm from the front distal edge of the secondary core and 10 cm from the rear distal edge of the secondary core and is 9 cm in width. The primary fluid-absorbent core between (A) and the secondary fluid-absorbent core comprising a homogenous mixture of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp fibers and 28.6% by weight of water absorbent polymer particles. The primary core has a total weight of 8 g. The secondary core between the primary core and (B) comprising a homogenous mixture of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of wood pulp fibers and 71.4% by weight of water absorbent polymer particles. The quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the secondary fluid-absorbent core is 10.0 g. The secondary core has a total weight of 20 g. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.15 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.19 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.18 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 790.63 gsm, for the insult zone 1121.38 gsm, for the back overall average 976.83 gsm.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 19c, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 31.5 g/g -   SFC of 70×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 20.4 g/g -   Moisture content of 7.6 wt. % -   Vortex time of 59 s -   GBP of 42 Darcies

Dimension of the secondary fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.8 cm; front width: 10.5 cm; crotch width: 9.3 cm; rear width: 10.3 cm.

The total thickness of both fluid-absorbent cores has an average of 5.4 mm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 60 gsm is rectangular shaped and smaller than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of 19.7 cm×7.6 cm.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 2 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     3.8 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 22.0 cm×4.0     cm and flexiband closure tapes of 3.4 cm×1.5 cm; attached to hook     fastening tape of 3.4 cm×1.4 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 48.0 cm; front width: 29.7 cm; crotch width: 20.0 cm; rear width: 31.6 cm.

Embodiment 9

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 9 (pantiliner) hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising between     10 to 50% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles based on the     total absorbent core weight and including a multi-layered     fluid-storage section comprising the following sequence: -   a homogenous upper core fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) containing about 50% of the     total fluff amount; -   a fluid-absorbent layer comprising water-absorbent polymer     particles; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of at     least 30 g/g; and -   an air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to     about 250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 9

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a double-layered single core system each layer having a uniform rectangular size. The layered fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprises a double-layered system of hydrophilic fibers (cellulose fibers, fluff pulp fibers), each layer having an almost uniform rectangular size. The fluid-absorbent core is encapsulated by wrapping with a spunbond material having a basis weight of 10 gsm. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.16 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.14 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.16 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 598.16 gsm, for the insult zone 596.94 gsm, for the back overall average 626.23 gsm. The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 3.8 mm.

The fluid-absorbent core holds 31.38% by weight distributed water-absorbent polymer particles, the quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 9.34 g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 18k, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 34.0 g/g -   SFC of 22×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 20.4 g/g -   Moisture content of 5.8 wt. % -   Vortex time of 62 s -   GBP of 20 Darcies

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.8 cm; front width: 14.2 cm; crotch width: 14.5 cm; rear width: 14.1 cm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 35.7 gsm is rectangular shaped and smaller than the fluid-absorbent core having a size of 24.0 cm×9.2 cm.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 5 cuff     elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     4.7 cm

For improving the fit of the fluid-absorbent article, the pantiliner of embodiment 10 provides stretchable bands.

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 47.9 cm; front width: 31.3 cm; crotch width: 15.4 μm; rear width: 31.3 cm.

Embodiment 10

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 10 (pantiliner) hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprising between     40 to 80% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles based on the     total absorbent core weight and including a multi-layered     fluid-storage section comprising the following sequence: -   a homogenous upper core fluff layer of hydrophilic fibrous matrix of     wood pulp fibers (cellulose fibers) containing about 50% of the     total fluff amount; -   a fluid-absorbent layer comprising water-absorbent polymer     particles; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for such     construction having a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least     20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; and -   an air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to     about 250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 10

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a double-layered single core system each layer having a uniform rectangular size. The layered fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprises a double-layered system of hydrophilic fibers (cellulose fibers, fluff pulp fibers), each layer having an almost uniform rectangular size. The fluid-absorbent core is encapsulated by wrapping with a spunbond material having a basis weight of 10 gsm. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.16 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.14 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.16 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 598.16 gsm, for the insult zone 596.94 gsm, for the back overall average 626.23 gsm. The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 3.8 mm.

The fluid-absorbent core holds 59.05% by weight distributed water-absorbent polymer particles, the quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 11.9 g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 21d, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 33.6 g/g -   SFC of 46×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 18.3 g/g -   Moisture content of 5.5 wt. % -   Vortex time of 58 s -   GBP of 33 Darcies

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.8 cm; front width: 14.2 cm; crotch width: 14.5 cm; rear width: 14.1 cm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 35.7 gsm is rectangular shaped and smaller than the fluid-absorbent core having a size of 24.0 cm×9.2 cm.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 5 cuff     elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     4.7 cm

For improving the fit of the fluid-absorbent article, the pantiliner of embodiment 10 provides stretchable bands.

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 47.9 cm; front width: 31.3 cm; crotch width: 15.4 cm; rear width: 31.3 cm.

Embodiment 11

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 11 (pantiliner) hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbond layer (three     piece coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a high-loaded single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B)     comprising between 55 to 95% by weight water-absorbent polymer     particles based on the total absorbent core weight and including a     multi-layered fluid-storage section comprising the following     sequence: -   a homogenous upper core layer of hydrophilic synthetic fibers     (fibrous matrix) containing about 95% of the total fluff amount; -   a high-loaded fluid-absorbent layer comprising water-absorbent     polymer particles; suitable water-absorbent polymer particles for     such construction having a saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at     least 80×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; and -   an air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to     about 250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 11

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a double-layered high-loaded single core system each layer having a uniform rectangular size. The layered fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprises a double-layered system of hydrophilic fibers (synthetic fibers), each layer having a rectangular size. The fluid-absorbent core is encapsulated by wrapping with a spunbond material having a basis weight of 10 gsm. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.20 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.20 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.21 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 551.51 gsm, for the insult zone 585.71 gsm, for the back overall average 569.63 gsm. The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 2.9 mm.

The fluid-absorbent core holds 81.6% by weight distributed water-absorbent polymer particles, the quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 12.9 g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 12, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 25.5 g/g -   SFC of 60×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 22.3 g/g -   Moisture content of 0.2 wt. % -   GBP of 120 Darcies

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.8 cm; front width: 14.2 cm; crotch width: 14.5 cm; rear width: 14.1 cm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 35.7 gsm is rectangular shaped and smaller than the fluid-absorbent core having a size of 24.0 cm×9.2 cm.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 5 cuff     elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     4.7 cm -   wetness indicator at the lower side of the liquid-impervious layer     (B)

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 47.9 cm; front width: 31.3 cm; crotch width: 15.4 cm; rear width: 31.3 cm

Embodiment 12

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 12 (pantiliner) hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a thermobond layer     (coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a high-loaded single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B)     comprising between 55 to 95% by weight water-absorbent polymer     particles based on the total absorbent core weight and including a     fluid-storage section comprising a high-loaded mixed fluid-absorbent     layer wrapped with a homogenous layer of hydrophilic synthetic     fibers; said high-loaded fluid-absorbent layer comprises     water-absorbent polymer particles; suitable water-absorbent polymer     particles for such construction having a saline flow conductivity     (SFC) of at least 80×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; said homogenous wrapping of     hydrophilic synthetic fibers contains about 95% of the total fluff     amount; and -   an air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A)     and (C) having a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm; the     acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular shaped and smaller     than the primary fluid-absorbent core having a size of about 150 to     about 250 cm².

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 12

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a high-loaded single core system having a uniform rectangular size. The fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprises a fluid-storage section comprising a high-loaded fluid-absorbent layer wrapped in a homogenous layer of hydrophilic synthetic fibers. The fluid-absorbent core is encapsulated by wrapping it both in a C-wrap and a full wrap configuration with a spunbond material having a basis weight of 10 gsm. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.16 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.25 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.19 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 436.86 gsm, for the insult zone 707.74 gsm, for the back overall average 555.73 gsm. The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 3.0 mm.

The fluid-absorbent core holds 80.3% by weight distributed water-absorbent polymer particles, the quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 11.8 g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 13e, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 27.5 g/g -   SFC of 129×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 20.3 g/g -   Moisture content of 7.7 wt. % -   Vortex time of 78 s -   GBP of 98 Darcies

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 40.8 cm; front width: 14.2 cm; crotch width: 14.5 cm; rear width: 14.1 cm.

An air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and (C) having a basis weight of 35.7 gsm is rectangular shaped and smaller than the fluid-absorbent core having a size of 24.0 cm×9.2 cm.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 5 cuff     elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     4.7 cm

For improving the fit of the fluid-absorbent article, the stretchable pant of embodiment 12 provides elastics from spandex type fibers.

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 47.9 cm; front width: 31.3 cm; crotch width: 15.4 cm; rear width: 31.3 cm.

Embodiment 13

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 13 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbonded layer     (coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a high-loaded single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B)     comprising between 55 to 95% by weight water-absorbent polymer     particles based on the total absorbent core weight including a     fluid-storage section comprising a high-loaded fluid-absorbent layer     wrapped with a spunbond material; said high-loaded fluid-absorbent     layer comprises water-absorbent polymer particles; suitable     water-absorbent polymer particles for such construction having a     saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least 80×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; said     homogenous wrapping of spunbond material contains about 100% of the     total fluff amount; and -   a system of two acquisition-distribution layers between (A) and (C),     comprising an upper resinbonded layer having a basis weight of 40 to     80 gsm; the upper acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular     shaped having a size of about 150 to about 250 cm²; the lower     acquisition-distribution layer comprising of synthetic fibers having     a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm and a size of about 100 to about 300     cm²; the upper acquisition-distribution layer is smaller than the     lower acquisition-distribution layer; both acquisition-distribution     layers are smaller than the fluid-absorbent core.

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 13

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a high-loaded mixed single core system having an almost uniform rectangular size. The fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprises a fluid-storage section comprising a high-loaded fluid-absorbent layer wrapped in a homogenous layer of hydrophilic spunbond fibers having a basis weight of 10 gsm. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.20 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.19 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.19 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 1114 gsm, for the insult zone 1007 gsm, for the back overall average 658 gsm. The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 4.5

The fluid-absorbent layer holds 67.2% by weight distributed water-absorbent polymer particles, the quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 14.1 g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 17b, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 28.6 g/g -   SFC of 98×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 21.6 g/g -   Moisture content of 6.3 wt. % -   Vortex time of 75 s -   GBP of 62 Darcies

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 43.0 cm; front width: 11.5 cm; crotch width: 7.2 cm; rear width: 12.1 cm.

The upper air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and the lower acquisition-distribution layer having a basis weight of 65.7 gsm is rectangular shaped with dimensions of 24.9 cm×7 cm. The lower air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between the upper acquisition-distribution layer and (C) is rectangular shaped with dimensions of 24.9 cm×7.5 cm. Both acquisition-distribution layers are smaller than the fluid-absorbent core.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 3 leg     elastics and 2 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     3.4 cm -   mechanical closure system with landing zone of dimension 14.9 cm×3.8     cm and adhesive closure tapes of 3.0 cm×1.3 cm; attached to hook     fastening tape of 3.0 cm×1.3 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 50.9 cm; front width: 24.5 cm; crotch width: 24.3 cm; rear width: 24.5 cm.

Embodiment 14

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in Embodiment 14 hereinafter. Thus, a preferred fluid-absorbent article comprising

-   an upper liquid-pervious layer comprising a spunbonded layer     (coverstock); -   a lower liquid-impervious layer comprising a composite of breathable     polyethylene film and spunbond nonwoven; -   a high-loaded single fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B)     comprising between 55 to 95% by weight water-absorbent polymer     particles based on the total absorbent core weight including a     fluid-storage section comprising a high-loaded fluid-absorbent layer     wrapped with a spunbond material; said high-loaded fluid-absorbent     layer comprises water-absorbent polymer particles; suitable     water-absorbent polymer particles for such construction having a     saline flow conductivity (SFC) of at least 80×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g; said     homogenous wrapping of spunbond material contains about 100% of the     total fluff amount; and -   a system of two acquisition-distribution layers between (A) and (C),     comprising an upper resinbonded layer having a basis weight of 40 to     80 gsm; the upper acquisition-distribution layer is rectangular     shaped having a size of about 150 to about 250 cm²; the lower     acquisition-distribution layer comprising of synthetic fibers having     a basis weight of 40 to 80 gsm and a size of about 100 to about 300     cm²; the upper acquisition-distribution layer is smaller than the     lower acquisition-distribution layer; both acquisition-distribution     layers are smaller than the fluid-absorbent core;

The construction of the products chassis and the components contained therein is made and controlled by the discrete application of hotmelt adhesives as known to people skilled in the art. Examples would be e.g. Dispomelt 505B, Dispomelt Cool 1101, as well as other specific function adhesives manufactured by National Starch or Henkel.

Ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers can be formed by immobilization of water-absorbent polymer particles on a non-woven sheet using hotmelt adhesives. Preferably the water-absorbent polymer particles form longitudinal strips or discrete spots. Other patterns of the water-absorbent polymer particles are also possible.

In a preferred embodiment the ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers comprise at least two sheets comprising immobilized water-absorbent polymer particles.

Examples of ultra-thin high-loaded fluid-absorbent layers are described in EP 1 293 187 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,011, EP 1 447 066 A1, EP 1 447 067 A1, EP 1 609 448 A1, JP 2004/313580, US 2005/0137085, US 2006/0004336, US 2007/0135785 WO 2008/155699 A1, WO 2008/155701 A2, WO 2008/155702 A1, WO 2008/155710 A1, WO 2008/155711 A1, WO 2004/071363 A1, US 2003/0181115, WO 2005/097025, US 2007/156108, US 2008/0125735, and WO 2008/155722 A2, which explicitly forms part of the present disclosure.

Construction Example of Embodiment 14

The fluid-absorbent core consists of a high-loaded mixed single core system having an almost uniform rectangular size. The fluid-absorbent core between (A) and (B) comprises a fluid-storage section comprising a high-loaded fluid-absorbent layer wrapped in a homogenous layer of hydrophilic spunbond fibers having a basis weight of 10 gsm. The density of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 0.25 g/cm³, for the insult zone 0.25 g/cm³, for the back overall average 0.26 g/cm³. The basis weight of the fluid-absorbent core is for the front overall average 878.70 gsm, for the insult zone 1237.56 gsm, for the back overall average 495.60 gsm. The thickness of the fluid-absorbent core has an average of 3.1 mm.

The fluid-absorbent layer holds 100% by weight distributed water-absorbent polymer particles, the quantity of water-absorbent polymer particles within the fluid-absorbent core is 14.14 g.

The water-absorbent polymer particles derived from dropletization polymerization as described in example 19i, exhibiting the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 30.2 g/g -   SFC of 118×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 19.7 g/g -   Moisture content of 8.4 wt. % -   Vortex time of 58 s -   GBP of 54 Darcies

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent core: length: 42.4 cm; front width: 10.6 cm; crotch width: 10.2 cm; rear width: 10.5 cm.

The upper air through bonded acquisition-distribution layer between (A) and the lower acquisition-distribution layer having a basis weight of 58.8 gsm is rectangular shaped with dimensions of 24.7 cm×7.3 cm. The lower air through bonded acquisition-distri-bution layer between the upper acquisition-distribution layer and (C) is rectangular shaped with dimensions of 20.3 cm×8.2 cm. Both acquisition-distribution layers are smaller than the fluid-absorbent core.

The fluid-absorbent article further comprises:

-   flat rubber elastics; elastics from spandex type fibers: 2 leg     elastics and 2 cuff elastics -   leg cuffs from synthetic fibers showing the layer combination SMS     and having a basis weight of between 13 to 17 gsm and a height of     4.4 cm -   waistband: front: 13.7 cm×2.1 cm; rear: 14.8 cm×2.2 cm

Dimension of the fluid-absorbent article: length: 46.7 cm; front width: 33.5 cm; crotch width: 16.0 cm; rear width: 33.5 cm.

The water-absorbent polymer particles and the fluid-absorbent articles are tested by means of the test methods described below.

Methods:

The measurements should, unless stated otherwise, be carried out at an ambient temperature of 23±2° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of 50±10%. The water-absorbent polymers are mixed thoroughly before the measurement.

Saline Flow Conductivity (SFC)

The saline flow conductivity is, as described in EP 0 640 330 A1, determined as the gel layer permeability of a swollen gel layer of water-absorbent polymer particles, although the apparatus described on page 19 and in FIG. 8 in the aforementioned patent application was modified to the effect that the glass frit (40) is no longer used, the plunger (39) consists of the same polymer material as the cylinder (37) and now comprises 21 bores having a diameter of 9.65 mm each distributed uniformly over the entire contact surface. The procedure and the evaluation of the measurement remains unchanged from EP 0 640 330 A1. The flow rate is recorded automatically.

The saline flow conductivity (SFC) is calculated as follows: SFC [cm³s/g]=(Fg(t=0)×L0)/(d×A×WP), where Fg(t=0) is the flow rate of NaCl solution in g/s, which is obtained by means of a linear regression analysis of the Fg(t) data of the flow determinations by extrapolation to t=0, L0 is the thickness of the gel layer in cm, d is the density of the NaCl solution in g/cm³, A is the surface area of the gel layer in cm² and WP is the hydrostatic pressure over the gel layer in dyn/cm². Free Swell Rate (FSR)

1.00 g (=W1) of the dry water-absorbent polymer particles is weighed into a 25 ml glass beaker and is uniformly distributed on the base of the glass beaker. 20 ml of a 0.9% by weight sodium chloride solution are then dispensed into a second glass beaker, the content of this beaker is rapidly added to the first beaker and a stopwatch is started. As soon as the last drop of salt solution is absorbed, confirmed by the disappearance of the reflection on the liquid surface, the stopwatch is stopped. The exact amount of liquid poured from the second beaker and absorbed by the polymer in the first beaker is accurately determined by weighing back the second beaker (=W2). The time needed for the absorption, which was measured with the stopwatch, is denoted t. The disappearance of the last drop of liquid on the surface is defined as time t.

The free swell rate (FSR) is calculated as follows: FSR [g/gs]=W2/(W1×t)

When the moisture content of the hydrogel-forming polymer is more than 3% by weight, however, the weight W1 must be corrected for this moisture content.

Vortex

50.0±1.0 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution are added into a 100 ml beaker. A cylindrical stirrer bar (30×6 mm) is added and the saline solution is stirred on a stir plate at 60 rpm. 2.000±0.010 g of water-absorbent polymer particles are added to the beaker as quickly as possible, starting a stop watch as addition begins. The stopwatch is stopped when the surface of the mixture becomes “still” that means the surface has no turbulence, and while the mixture may still turn, the entire surface of particles turns as a unit. The displayed time of the stopwatch is recorded as Vortex time.

Compression Damage Test

Into a plastic cup (outer height is 50 mm, inner height (depth) is 38.1 mm, outer diameter is 76.2 mm, and inner diameter is 50.8 mm) is placed a steel disk measuring 50.75 mm in diameter and 3.18 mm in thickness. 10.0±0.05 g of water-absorbent polymer particles are placed in the cup and distributed evenly. A steel cylinder (piston size is: diameter=50.75 mm and height=44.45 mm; the weight of the piston is 712.2 g) is then placed on the water-absorbent polymer particles. The assembled apparatus is then placed in a Carver Press model Auto Series 4425.4DI0A01 (Carver Inc.; Wabash; USA). The force setting on the press is set to the target value plus 200 lbs. Compression is initiated and when the digital reading indicates the desired target value the compression is manually stopped. The damaged water-absorbent polymer particles are then removed with the aid of a brush such that the full amount is removed within 0.5% by weight of the starting quantity.

Blender Damage Test

An Osterizer Blender model 6749—12 speed, 450 watt motor (Sunbeam Products Inc.; Boca Raton; USA) with a 5 cup glass blending jar is connected to a variable voltage supply source such as a Variac controller. The voltage controller is adjusted such that the operating speed of the blender is 10,500 rpm. The blender jar is treated with an anti-static agent (such as Staticide available from VWR). Then 25.0±0.05 g of water-absorbent polymer particles are placed in the blender and the blender jar lid is placed on the jar. The unit is turned on through the variable voltage source and run for the targeted time. After blending the dust is allowed to settle in the jar for three minutes. The lid is then removed and the damaged water-absorbent polymer particles are then isolated with the aid of a brush such that the full amount is removed within 0.5% by weight of the starting quantity.

Morphology

Particle morphologies of the water-absorbent polymer particles were investigated in the swollen state by microscope analysis. Approximately 100 mg of the water-absorbent polymer particles were placed on a glass microscope slide. With a syringe, 0.9% aqueous NaCl solution was placed on the water-absorbent polymer particles to swell them. Solution was constantly refilled as it was absorbed by the particles. Care has to be taken that the water-absorbent polymer particles do not run dry. After 30 min swelling time, the slide was put under the microscope (Leica Macroscope Z16 APO, magnification 20×, backlighting by a Schott KL2500 LCD cold light source, camera Leica DFC 420, all by Leica Microsysteme Vertrieb GmbH; Wetzlar; Germany) and 3 pictures were taken at different parts of the sample.

Morphologies can be divided into there categories: Type 1 are particles with one cavity having diameters from 0.4 to 2.5 mm, Type 2 are particles with more than one cavity having diameters from 0.001 to 0.3 mm, and Type 3 are solid particles with no visible cavity.

FIG. 9 shows a swollen particle of type 1 with a cavity having a diameter of 0.94 mm and FIG. 10 shows a swollen particle of type 2 with more than 15 cavities having diameters from less than 0.03 to 0.13 mm.

The photograph is analyzed and the numbers of each category is recorded. Undefined or agglomerated particles are omitted from further evaluation. The individual results of the three photographs of each sample are averaged.

Free Swell Gel Bed Permeability (GBP)

The method to determine the free swell gel bed permeability is described in US 2005/0256757, paragraphs [0061] to [0075].

Residual Monomers

The level of residual monomers in the water-absorbent polymer particles is determined by the EDANA recommended test method No. WSP 410.2-05 “Residual Monomers”.

Particle Size Distribution

The particle size distribution of the water-absorbent polymer particles is determined with the Camziser® image analysis system (Retsch Technology GmbH; Haan; Germany).

For determination of the average particle diameter and the particle diameter distribution the proportions of the particle fractions by volume are plotted in cumulated form and the average particle diameter is determined graphically.

The average particle diameter (APD) here is the value of the mesh size which gives rise to a cumulative 50% by weight.

The particle diameter distribution (PDD) is calculated as follows:

${{PDD} = \frac{x_{2} - x_{1}}{APD}},$ wherein x₁ is the value of the mesh size which gives rise to a cumulative 90% by weight and x₂ is the value of the mesh size which gives rise to a cumulative 10% by weight. Mean Sphericity

The mean sphericity is determined with the Camziser® image analysis system (Retsch Technology GmbH; Haan; Germany) using the particle diameter fraction from 100 to 1,000 μm.

Moisture Content

The moisture content of the water-absorbent polymer particles is determined by the EDANA recommended test method No. WSP 430.2-05 “Moisture Content”.

Centrifuge Retention Capacity (CRC)

The centrifuge retention capacity of the water-absorbent polymer particles is determined by the EDANA recommended test method No. WSP 441.2-05 “Centrifuge Retention Capacity”, wherein for higher values of the centrifuge retention capacity lager tea bags have to be used.

Absorbency Under High Load (AUHL)

The absorbency under high load of the water-absorbent polymer particles is determined analogously to the EDANA recommended test method No. WSP 442.2-05 “Absorption Under Pressure”, except using a weight of 49.2 g/cm² instead of a weight of 21.0 g/cm².

Bulk Density

The bulk density of the water-absorbent polymer particles is determined by the EDANA recommended test method No. WSP 460.2-05 “Density”.

Extractables

The level of extractable constituents in the water-absorbent polymer particles is determined by the EDANA recommended test method No. WSP 470.2-05 “Extractables”.

The EDANA test methods are obtainable, for example, from the EDANA, Avenue Eugene Plasky 157, B-1030 Brussels, Belgium.

EXAMPLES Preparation of the Base Polymer Example 1

The process was performed in a cocurrent spray drying plant with an integrated fluidized bed (27) and an external fluidized bed (29) as shown in FIG. 1. The cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) had a height of 22 m and a diameter of 3.4 m. The internal fluidized bed (IFB) had a diameter of 2.0 m and a weir height of 0.4 m. The external fluidized bed (EFB) had a length of 3.0 m, a width of 0.65 m and a weir height of 0.5 m.

The drying gas was feed via a gas distributor (3) at the top of the spray dryer. The drying gas was partly recycled (drying gas loop) via a baghouse filter (9) and a condenser column (12). The drying gas was nitrogen that comprises from 1% to 5% by volume of residual oxygen. Before start of polymerization the drying gas loop was filled with nitrogen until the residual oxygen was below 5% by volume. The gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.73 m/s. The pressure inside the spray dryer was 4 mbar below ambient pressure.

The spray dryer outlet temperature was measured at three points around the circumference at the end of the cylindrical part as shown in FIG. 3. Three single measurements (47) were used to calculate the average cylindrical spray dryer outlet temperature. The drying gas loop was heated up and the dosage of monomer solution is started up. From this time the spray dryer outlet temperature was controlled to 125° C. by adjusting the gas inlet temperature via the heat exchanger (20).

The product accumulated in the internal fluidized bed (27) until the weir height was reached. Conditioned internal fluidized bed gas having a temperature of 96° C. and a relative humidity of 45% was fed to the internal fluidized bed (27) via line (25). The relative humidity was controlled by adding steam via line (23). The gas velocity of the internal fluidized bed gas in the internal fluidized bed (27) was 0.8 m/s. The residence time of the product was 35 mM.

The spray dryer offgas was filtered in baghouse filter (9) and sent to a condenser column (12) for quenching/cooling. Excess water was pumped out of the condenser column (12) by controlling the (constant) filling level inside the condenser column (12). The water inside the condenser column (12) was cooled by a heat exchanger (13) and pumped counter-current to the gas via quench nozzles (11) so that the temperature inside the condenser column (12) was 45° C. The water inside the condenser column (12) was set to an alkaline pH by dosing sodium hydroxide solution to wash out acrylic acid vapors.

The condenser column offgas was split to the drying gas inlet pipe (1) and the conditioned internal fluidized bed gas (25). The gas temperatures were controlled via heat exchangers (20) and (22). The hot drying gas was fed to the cocurrent spray dryer via gas distributor (3). The gas distributor (3) consists of a set of plates providing a pressure drop of 5 to 10 mbar depending on the drying gas amount.

The product was discharged from the internal fluidized bed (27) via rotary valve (28) into external fluidized bed (29). Conditioned external fluidized bed gas having a temperature of 55° C. was fed to the external fluidized bed (29) via line (40). The external fluidized bed gas was air. The gas velocity of the external fluidized bed gas in the external fluidized bed (29) was 0.8 m/s. The residence time of the product was 11 min.

The product was discharged from the external fluidized bed (29) via rotary valve (32) into sieve (33). The sieve (33) was used for sieving off overs/lumps having a particle diameter of more than 850 μm.

The monomer solution was prepared by mixing first acrylic acid with 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (internal crosslinker) and secondly with 37.3% by weight sodium acrylate solution. The temperature of the resulting monomer solution was controlled to 10° C. by using a heat exchanger and pumping in a loop. A filter unit having a mesh size of 250 μm was used in the loop after the pump. The initiators were metered into the monomer solution upstream of the dropletizer by means of static mixers (41) and (42) via lines (43) and (44) as shown in FIG. 1. Sodium peroxodisulfate solution having a temperature of 20° C. was added via line (43) and 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)pro-pane]dihydrochloride solution having a temperature of 5° C. was added via line (44). Each initiator was pumped in a loop and dosed via control valves to each dropletizer unit. A second filter unit having a mesh size of 100 μm was used after the static mixer (42). For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer three dropletizer units were used as shown in FIG. 4.

A dropletizer unit consisted of an outer pipe (51) having an opening for the dropletizer cassette (53) as shown in FIG. 5. The dropletizer cassette (53) was connected with an inner pipe (52). The inner pipe (53) having a PTFE block (54) at the end as sealing can be pushed in and out of the outer pipe (51) during operation of the process for maintenance purposes.

The temperature of the dropletizer cassette (61) was controlled to 25° C. by water in flow channels (59) as shown in FIG. 6. The dropletizer cassette had 250 bores having a diameter of 200 μm and a bore separation of 15 mm. The dropletizer cassette (61) consisted of a flow channel (60) having essential no stagnant volume for homogeneous distribution of the premixed monomer and initiator solutions and two droplet plates (57). The droplet plates (57) had an angled configuration with an angle of 10°. Each droplet plate (57) was made of stainless steel and had a length of 500 mm, a width of 25 mm, and a thickness of 1 mm.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 10.25% by weight of acrylic acid 32.75% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.074% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.12% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weigh in water), 0.12% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water. The degree of neutralization was 71%. The feed per bore was 2.0 kg/h.

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 70.4 g/100 ml, an average particle diameter of 424 m, a particle diameter distribution of 0.57, and a mean sphericity of 0.91.

The resulting polymer particles were analyzed using the Blender Damage Test and the Compression Damage Test. The results are compiled in tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 Blender Damage Test Blend time Moisture CRC AUHL SFC [s] (wt. %) [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] 0 6.0 33.0 24.6 12 5 6.1 33.3 24.3 12 15 6.2 33.3 24.5 10 30 6.1 33.0 22.7 8 38 6.2 33.0 22.3 8

TABLE 2 Compression Damage Test Force Moisture CRC AUHL SFC [kg/cm²] (wt. %) [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] 0 6.0 33.0 24.6 12 22.3 6.0 33.4 24.3 13 55.7 6.1 33.6 25.2 14 111.4 6.1 33.4 24.0 13 133.7 6.1 33.9 24.7 12

Also, the morphology of the resulting polymer particles was analyzed. The ratio of type 1 to type 2 was 0.19.

Further, 200 g of the resulting polymer particles were sieved through a Retsch AS 200 basic sieving machine (Retsch GmbH, Haan; Germany) containing sieves having mesh sizes of 100 μm, 200 μm, 300 μm, 400 μm, 500 μm, 600 μm, 710 μm, and 850 μm. For the individual sieve fractions centrifuge retention capacity, absorption under high load and saline flow conductivity were determined, if the amount of material was more than 2 g. The performance of the individual sieve fractions are listed in table 3.

TABLE 3 Performance of the sieve fractions CRC AUHL sieve fraction [g/g] [g/g] 500-600 μm 29.8 22.8 400-500 μm 33.4 24.5 300-400 μm 34.3 24.2 200-300 μm 32.5 22.4

Example 2 Comparative Example

Example 1 was repeated, except that spray dryer outlet temperature was adjusted to 138° C., gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.29 m/s, and the separation of the bores was 5 mm. For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer one dropletizer unit with 360 bores having a diameter of 200 μm was used.

The conditioned internal fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 105° C. and a relative humidity of 23%. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 104 min. The conditioned external fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 60° C. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 33 min.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 10.25% by weight of acrylic acid 32.75% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.085% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.11% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weigh in water), 0.088% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water. The feed per bore was 1.4 kg/h.

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 41.3 g/100 ml, an average particle diameter of 581 μm, a particle diameter distribution of 0.82, and a mean sphericity of 0.87.

The resulting polymer particles were analyzed using the Blender Damage Test and the Compression Damage Test. The results are compiled in tables 4 and 5.

TABLE 4 Blender Damage Test Blend time Moisture CRC AUHL SFC [s] (wt. %) [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] 0 6.2 29.7 21.9 16 5 6.2 29.4 20.5 12 15 6.3 28.6 18.5 9 30 6.1 28.3 16.8 8 38 6.2 28.1 15.5 9

TABLE 5 Compression Damage Test Force Moisture CRC AUHL SFC [kg/cm²] (wt. %) [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] 0 6.2 29.7 21.9 16 22.3 6.3 31.6 22.3 18 55.7 6.0 30.2 21.2 15 111.4 6.1 30.1 19.8 11 133.7 6.1 30.6 17.8 8

Also, the morphology of the resulting polymer particles was analyzed. The ratio of type 1 to type 2 was 1.7.

The inventive polymer particles of example 1 shows a smaller drop of the absorbency under high load (AUHL) and of the saline flow conductivity (SFC) after damage compared to the non-inventive polymer particles of example 2 indicating that the inventive polymer particles have a higher damage stability than the non-inventive polymer particles.

Further, the resulting polymer particles were sieved as disclosed in example 1. The performance of the individual sieve fractions are listed in table 6.

TABLE 6 Performance of the sieve fractions sieve CRC AUHL SFC fraction [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] >850 μm 20.0 17.0 61 710-850 μm 20.6 17.3 66 600-710 μm 22.1 18.0 55 500-600 μm 25.4 19.8 35 400-500 μm 31.0 24.3 19 300-400 μm 31.3 23.0 11 200-300 μm 30.3 21.1 8 100-200 μm 30.9 7.3 0

The inventive polymer particles of example 1 shows a smaller particle size distribution and a smaller deviation of the centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) and of the absorbency under high load (AUHL) compared to the non-inventive polymer particles of example 2.

Example 3 Comparative Example

Example 1 was repeated, except that spray dryer outlet temperature was adjusted to 133° C., gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.45 m/s, and the separation of the bores was 5 mm. For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer one dropletizer unit with 360 bores having a diameter of 200 μm was used.

The conditioned internal fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 85° C. and a relative humidity of 28%. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 104 min. The conditioned external fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 60° C. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 33 min.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 10.25% by weight of acrylic acid 32.75% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.085% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.11% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weight in water), 0.088% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water. The feed per bore was 1.4 kg/h.

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 54.6 g/100 ml and an average particle diameter of 514 μm.

Example 4

Example 1 was repeated, except that spray dryer outlet temperature was adjusted to 130° C. and gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.70 m/s. For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer three dropletizer units with 200 bores having a diameter of 200 μm were used.

The conditioned internal fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 93° C. and a relative humidity of 48%. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 44 min. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 14 min.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 10.25% by weight of acrylic acid 32.75% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.10% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.12% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weight in water), 0.088% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water.

The polymer particles exhibit the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 26.5 g/g -   SFC of 36×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 21.6 g/g -   Extractables of 2.0 wt. % -   Residual monomers of 735 ppm -   Moisture content of 11.1 wt. % -   FSR of 0.35 g/gs

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 59.3 g/100 ml, an average particle diameter of 440 μm, a particle diameter distribution of 0.63, and a mean sphericity of 0.90.

Example 5

Example 1 was repeated, except that gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.59 m/s. For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer three dropletizer units with 200 bores having a diameter of 200 μm were used.

The conditioned internal fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 95° C. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 44 min. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 14 min.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 11.53% by weight of acrylic acid 31.97% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.079% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.13% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weight in water), 0.13% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water. The degree of neutralization was 68%.

The polymer particles exhibit the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 28.9 g/g -   SFC of 27×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 23.0 g/g -   Residual monomers of 384 ppm -   Moisture content of 9.5 wt. % -   FSR of 0.3 g/gs

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 69.9 g/100 ml and an average particle diameter of 421 μm.

Example 6

Example 1 was repeated, except that gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.59 m/s. For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer three dropletizer units with 200 bores having a diameter of 200 μm were used.

The conditioned internal fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 93° C. and a relative humidity of 46%. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 44 min. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 14 min.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 11.53% by weight of acrylic acid 31.97% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.11% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.13% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weight in water), 0.13% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water. The degree of neutralization was 68%.

The polymer particles exhibit the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 26.0 g/g -   SFC of 54×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 21.8 g/g -   Extractables of 1.0 wt. % -   Residual monomers of 382 ppm -   Moisture content of 9.0 wt. % -   FSR of 0.25 g/gs

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 72.6 g/100 ml and an average particle diameter of 417 μm.

Example 7

Example 1 was repeated, except that gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.59 m/s. For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer three dropletizer units with 200 bores having a diameter of 200 μm were used.

The conditioned internal fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 94° C. and a relative humidity of 38%. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 44 min. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 14 min.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 10.25% by weight of acrylic acid 32.75% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.070% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.12% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weight in water), 0.12% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water.

The polymer particles exhibit the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 32.0 g/g -   SFC of 20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 24.0 g/g -   Extractables of 1.7 wt. % -   Residual monomers of 866 ppm -   Moisture content of 5.8 wt. % -   FSR of 0.31 g/gs

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 71.9 g/100 ml and an average particle diameter of 409 μm.

Example 8

Example 1 was repeated, except that gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.59 m/s and the separation of the bores was 11 mm. For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer three dropletizer unit with 267 bores having a diameter of 200 μm were used.

The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 44 min. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 14 min.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 10.25% by weight of acrylic acid 32.75% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.055% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.12% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weight in water), 0.12% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water. The feed per bore was 1.5 kg/h.

The polymer particles exhibit the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 35.0 g/g -   SFC of 8×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 21.6 g/g -   Extractables of 2.1 wt. % -   Residual monomers of 616 ppm -   Moisture content of 9.4 wt. % -   FSR of 0.28 g/gs

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 70.7 g/100 ml and an average particle diameter of 426 μm.

Example 9

Example 1 was repeated, except that gas velocity of the drying gas in the cylindrical part of the spray dryer (5) was 0.59 m/s and the separation of the bores was 11 mm. For dosing the monomer solution into the top of the spray dryer three dropletizer unit with 267 bores having a diameter of 200 μm were used.

The conditioned internal fluidized bed gas had a temperature of 98° C. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 44 min. The residence time in the internal fluidized bed was 14 min.

The feed to the spray dryer consisted of 10.25% by weight of acrylic acid 32.75% by weigh of sodium acrylate, 0.039% by weight of 3-tuply ethoxylated glycerol triacrylate (approx. 85% strength by weight), 0.12% by weight of 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)-propane]dihydrochloride solution (15% by weight in water), 0.12% by weight of sodium peroxodisulfate solution (15% by weight in water) and water. The feed per bore was 1.5 kg/h.

The polymer particles exhibit the following features and absorption profile:

-   CRC of 40.5 g/g -   AUHL of 12.3 g/g -   Extractables of 3.9 wt. % -   Residual monomers of 818 ppm -   Moisture content of 9.0 wt. % -   FSR of 0.14 g/gs

The resulting polymer particles had a bulk density of 67.9 g/100 ml and an average particle diameter of 452 μm.

Postcrosslinking of the Base Polymer Example 10

1 kg of the water-absorbent polymer particles prepared in example 8 were put into a laboratory ploughshare mixer with a heated jacket (model M 5; manufactured by Gebrüder Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany). A postcrosslinker solution was prepared by mixing 0.60 g of Denacol® EX 810 (ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether; obtained from Nagase ChemteX Corporation; Osaka; Japan), 20 g of propylene glycol, and 20 g of deionized water, into a beaker. At a mixer speed of 450 rpm, the postcrosslinker solution was added dropwise using a syringe to the water-absorbent polymer particles over a three minute time period at room temperature. The mixer was then stopped, product sticking to the wall of the mixing vessel was scraped off (and re-united with the bulk), and mixing was continued for two more minutes at 450 rpm. The batch was then discharged into two stainless steel pans and placed in an oven at 140° C. for one hour. The pans were then removed from the oven and allowed to cool in a desiccator. The cooled product was then sifted, at 150 to 710 μm and characterized as follows:

-   CRC of 35.5 g/g -   SFC of 16×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 26.2 g/g -   Moisture content of 1.8 wt. %

Example 11

1 kg of the water-absorbent polymer particles prepared in example 9 were put into a laboratory ploughshare mixer with a heated jacket (model M 5; manufactured by Gebrüder Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany). A postcrosslinker solution was prepared by mixing 10 g of 1,4-butane diol, 11.5 g of i-propanol, and 20 g of deionized water, into a beaker. At a mixer speed of 450 rpm, the postcrosslinker solution was added by a spray nozzle to the polymer powder over a three minute time period at room temperature. The mixer was then stopped, product sticking to the wall of the mixing vessel was scraped off (and re-united with the bulk), and mixing was continued for two more minutes at 450 rpm. The temperature of the product was then raised to 190° C. by heating the jacket of the mixer. The product was kept at this temperature for 45 minutes at a mixer speed of 80 rpm. After cooling down of the mixer, the product was discharged, sifted at 150 to 710 μm and characterized as follows:

-   CRC of 36.2 g/g -   SFC of 9×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   AUHL of 25.7 g/g -   Moisture content of 0.3 wt. %

Example 12

1 kg of the water-absorbent polymer particles prepared in example 8 were put into a la-boratory ploughshare mixer with a heated jacket (model M 5; manufactured by Gebrü-der Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany). At a mixer speed of 300 rpm, 300 g of Aerosil® 130 (fumed silica from Evonik Degussa GmbH; Frankfurt am Main; Germany) were added and mixed for 3 minutes at room temperature. A postcrosslinker solution was prepared by mixing 0.75 g of N-(2-hydroxy ethyl)-2-oxazolidinone, 0.75 g of 1,3-propane diol, 10 g of i-propanol, 20 g of an aqueous aluminium sulphate solution (26.8 wt.-% of strength), and 10 g of deionized water, into a beaker. At a mixer speed of 450 rpm, the postcrosslinker solution was added by a spray nozzle to the polymer pow-der over a three minute time period at room temperature. The mixer was then stopped, product sticking to the wall of the mixing vessel was scraped off (and re-united with the bulk), and mixing was continued for two more minutes at 450 rpm. The temperature of the product was then raised to 188° C. by heating the jacket of the mixer. The product was kept at this temperature for 60 minutes at a mixer speed of 80 rpm. After cooling down of the mixer, the product was discharged, sifted at 150 to 710 μm and characterized as follows:

-   CRC of 25.5 g/g -   SFC of 160×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g -   GBP of 120 Darcies -   AUHL of 22.3 g/g -   Moisture content of 0.2 wt. %

Example 13

In a laboratory ploughshare mixer with a heated jacket (model M 5; manufactured by Gebrüder Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany) 800 g of the water-absorbent polymer particles prepared in example 8 were mixed at a speed of 325 rpm while a solution containing 0.8 g of Denacol® EX 512 (polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether; obtained from Nagase ChemteX Corporation; Osaka; Japan), 6 g of 1,2-propane diol and 12 g of water was added dropwise. Then 16 g of aqueous aluminium lactate solution (25 wt.-% of strength) was added dropwise. The water-absorbent polymer particles and added solutions were then allowed to mix at 325 rpm for 60 seconds.

This mixture was then transferred to a second laboratory ploughshare mixer that had been pre-heated to 200° C. and running at a speed of 150 rpm. Following the temperature drop that results from adding the cold powder, the temperature was maintained at 160° C. Samples were then taken at various time, with t=0 minutes corresponding to the moment when the temperature in the second Loedige reached 160° C. after the powder was added. Samples were then passed through standard 150 and 850 micron sieves to remove any large or fine particles that may have resulted from the coating process. The performance results are tabulated below:

TABLE 7 Postcrosslinking with Polyglycerol Polyglycidyl Ether/Aluminium Lactate Cure Time CRC AUHL SFC FSR [min] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [g/gs] 0 34.1 27.1 42 0.23 15 33.5 27.4 51 0.22 30 33.5 27.0 52 0.21 60 31.6 26.8 63 0.21 90 31.2 26.2 74 0.21

Example 14

In a laboratory ploughshare mixer with a heated jacket (model M 5; manufactured by Gebrüder Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany) 800 g of the water-absorbent polymer particles prepared in example 8 were mixed at a speed of 325 rpm while a solution containing 0.8 g of Denacol® EX 512 (polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether; obtained from Nagase ChemteX Corporation; Osaka; Japan), 6 g of 1,2-propane diol and 12 g of water was added dropwise. Then 20 g of aqueous aluminium sulfate solution (27.5 wt.-% of strength) was added dropwise. The water-absorbent polymer particles and added solutions were then allowed to mix at 325 rpm for 60 seconds.

This mixture was then transferred to a second laboratory ploughshare mixer that had been pre-heated to 200° C. and running at a speed of 150 rpm. Following the temperature drop that results from adding the cold powder, the temperature was maintained at 160° C. Samples were then taken at various time, with t=0 minutes corresponding to the moment when the temperature in the second Loedige reached 160° C. after the powder was added. Samples were then passed through standard 150 and 850 micron sieves to remove any large or fine particles that may have resulted from the coating process. The performance results are tabulated below:

TABLE 8 Postcrosslinking with Polyglycerol Polyglycidyl Ether/Aluminium Sulfate Cure Time CRC AUHL GBP [min] [g/g] [g/g] [Darcies] 0 34.1 24.4 48 15 32.8 24.2 65 30 32.2 24.1 68 60 31.2 23.8 66 90 30.9 23.4 83

Example 15

In a laboratory ploughshare mixer with a heated jacket (model M 5; manufactured by Gebrüder Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany) 800 g of the water-absorbent polymer particles prepared in example 9 were mixed at a speed of 325 rpm while a solution containing 0.8 g of Denacol® EX 512 (polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether; obtained from Nagase ChemteX Corporation; Osaka; Japan), 6 g of 1,2-propane diol and 12 g of water was added dropwise. The water-absorbent polymer particles and added solutions were then allowed to mix at 325 rpm for 60 seconds.

This mixture was then transferred to a second laboratory ploughshare mixer that had been pre-heated to 200° C. and running at a speed of 150 rpm. Following the temperature drop that results from adding the cold powder, the temperature was maintained at 160° C. Samples were then taken at various time, with t=0 minutes corresponding to the moment when the temperature in the second Loedige reached 160° C. after the powder was added. Samples were then passed through standard 150 and 850 micron sieves to remove any large or fine particles that may have resulted from the coating process. The performance results are tabulated below:

TABLE 9 Postcrosslinking with Polyglycerol Polyglycidyl Ether Cure Time CRC AUHL SFC Vortex FSR [min] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [s] [g/gs] 0 41.9 30.4 93 0.23 15 43.2 30.4 102 0.22 30 40.8 29.6 7 95 0.21 60 39.1 29.5 95 0.21 90 38.5 29.2 12 104 0.20

Coating of the Base Polymer Example 16

800 g of the water-absorbent polymer particles were added in a mechanical plough share mixer (Pflugschar® Mischer Typ M5; Gebr. Lödige Maschinenbau GmbH; Paderborn; Germany) at room temperature. At a stirring speed of 200 rpm, the water-absor-bent polymer particles were coated with a 26.8 wt.-% aqueous solution of aluminum sulfate within 4 minutes. The amount of aluminum sulfate is given in the table below, calculated as weight-% of solid aluminum sulfate on water-absorbent polymer particles. The speed of the mixer was reduced after coating to 60 rpm and the product was mixed for 5 more minutes at these conditions. After removal of the product from the mixer, it was sieved over an 850 μm screen to remove potential agglomerates.

The resulting coated water-absorbent polymer particles were analyzed, the results are summarized in table 10.

TABLE 10 Coating with Aluminum Sulfate Base Al₂(SO₄)₃ CRC AUHL SFC GBP Vortex Moisture Example polymer [wt.-%] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [Darcies] [s] [wt. %] 16a Ex. 1 1.00 29.2 19.6 40 34 56 12.6 16b Ex. 5 1.00 30.1 20.0 41 48 68 8.5 16c Ex. 5 0.50 31.5 22.9 35 34 63 7.9 16d Ex. 5 0.75 31.0 19.7 39 39 62 8.8 16e Ex. 6 1.00 27.5 20.3 129 98 78 7.7 16f Ex. 7 1.00 31.4 16.2 23 32 60 7.3

Example 17

Example 16 was repeated but with a 22.0 wt.-% aqueous aluminum lactate coating solution instead of an aqueous aluminum sulfate solution. The amount of aluminum lactate that was coated on the water-absorbent polymer particles is given in table 11, calculated as weight-% of solid aluminum lactate on water-absorbent polymer particles.

The resulting coated water-absorbent polymer particles were analyzed. The results are summarized in table 11.

TABLE 11 Coating with Aluminum Lactate Base Aluminium- CRC AUHL SFC Vortex Moisture Example polymer lactate [wt.-%] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [s] [wt. %] 17a Ex. 1 1.00 28.6 22.6 38 70 12.9 17b Ex. 4 0.50 26.6 23.6 42 60 13.0 17c Ex. 4 1.00 26.3 22.0 61 54 13.1 17e Ex. 5 1.00 31.5 24.0 49 65 6.2

Example 18

Example 16 was repeated but with a 30 wt.-% aqueous dispersion of calcium phosphate (Tricalciumphosphat C53-80; Chemische Fabrik Budenheim KG; Budenheim; Germany) instead of an aqueous aluminum sulfate solution. The amount of aqueous dispersion of calcium phosphate that was coated on the water-absorbent polymer particles is given in table 10, calculated as weight-% of solid calcium phosphate on water-absorbent polymer particles.

The resulting coated water-absorbent polymer particles were analyzed. The results are summarized in table 12.

TABLE 12 Coating with Calcium Phosphate Base Ca₃(PO₄)₂ CRC AUHL SFC Vortex Moisture Example polymer [wt.-%] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [s] [wt. %] 18a Ex. 4 0.50 27.5 22.5 43 52 12.0

Example 19

Example 16 was repeated, but with Lutensol® AT80 (sprayed as a 15 wt. % aqueous solution) instead of an aqueous aluminum sulfate solution. The amount of Lutensol® AT80 solution that was coated on the polymer particles is given in table 11, calculated as weight-% of Lutensol® AT80 on water-absorbent polymer particles.

The resulting coated water-absorbent polymer particles were analyzed, the results are summarized in table 13.

TABLE 13 Coating with Lutensol ® AT80 Base Lutensol ® CRC AUHL SFC GBP Vortex Moisture Example polymer AT80 [wt.-%] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [Darcies] [s] [wt. %] 19a Ex. 1 0.25 29 19 7 3 30 18.0 19b Ex. 1 0.50 28 18 7 2 30 18.5

Example 20

Example 16 was repeated but with a silica dispersion instead of an aqueous aluminum sulfate solution. The type and solids content of the silica dispersions that was coated on the polymer particles is given in table 14. The amount of silica calculated as weight-% of solid silica on water-absorbent polymer particles is given in table 14.

The resulting water-absorbent coated polymer particles were analyzed. The results are summarized in table 15.

TABLE 14 Silica Dispersions SiO₂ content Type Name [wt.-%] Producer Aqueous dispersion Aerodisp ® 14 Evonik Degussa GmbH; of a fumed silica W 1714 Frankfurt am Main; Germany Aqueous dispersion Aerodisp ® 14 Evonik Degussa GmbH; of a fumed silica W 7215 S Frankfurt am Main; Germany Aqueous dispersion Aerodisp ® 20 Evonik Degussa GmbH;, of a fumed silica W 7220 N Frankfurt am Main; Germany

TABLE 15 Coating with Silica Dispersions Base Silica CRC AUHL SFC GBP Vortex Moisture Example polymer Type [wt. %] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [Darcies] [s] [wt. %] 20a Ex. 4 Aerodisp ® 0.50 28.8 22.4 76 56 71 6.4 W1714 20b Ex. 4 Aerodisp ® 0.50 28.6 21.6 98 62 75 6.3 W 7215 S 20c Ex. 4 Aerodisp ® 0.50 29.2 22.0 53 43 73 6.5 W 7520 N

Example 21

100 g of water-absorbent polymer particles were filled into a polyethylene sample bottle (500 ml volume) and an inorganic solid material was added. The type of inorganic material is given in table 16. The amount of inorganic material is given in table 17. The content of the bottle was mixed intensely with a three-dimensional shaker-mixer (Type T2C; Willy A. Bachofen AG Maschinenfabrik; Basel; Switzerland) for 15 minutes.

The resulting coated water-absorbent polymer particles were analyzed. The results are summarized in table 17.

TABLE 16 Inorganic Solids Type Name Producer Precipitated silica Sipernat ® 50 Evonik Degussa GmbH; Frankfurt am Main; Germany Hydrophobic Sipernat ® D17 Evonik Degussa GmbH; precipitated silica Frankfurt am Main; Germany Hydrophilic fumed Aerosil ® 200 Evonik Degussa GmbH; silica Frankfurt am Main; Germany Hydrophilic fumed Aerosil ® 130 Evonik Degussa GmbH; silica Frankfurt am Main; Germany Ca₃(PO₄)₂ Tricalciumphosphat Chemische Fabrik C53-80 Budenheim KG; Budenheim; Germany

TABLE 17 Coating with Inorganic Solids Base Amount CRC AUHL SFC GBP Vortex Moisture Example polymer Type [wt. %] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [Darcies] [s] [wt. %] 21a Ex. 1 Aerosil ® 0.50 31.4 18.7 47 38 58 5.5 200 21b Ex. 1 Aerosil ® 0.50 33.6 18.7 45 33 57 5.5 130 21c Ex. 1 Sipernat ® 0.20 32.7 20.9 17 10 77 5.1 D17 21d Ex. 4 Ca₃(PO₄)₂ 0.25 27.1 21.9 38 6 52 10.9 21e Ex. 4 Ca₃(PO₄)₂ 0.50 26.9 22.1 40 7 56 11.2 21f Ex. 4 Ca₃(PO₄)₂ 0.75 26.8 21.9 41 10 57 11.0 21g Ex. 5 Aerosil ® 0.50 31.6 19.3 40 40 61 7.1 200 21h Ex. 5 Aerosil ® 0.50 32.7 18.6 40 37 62 7.3 130 21i Ex. 5 Sipernat ® 0.20 31.4 20.9 31 14 86 7.4 D17 21j Ex. 7 Aerosil ® 0.50 34.4 19.0 32 34 56 5.7 200 21k Ex. 7 Aerosil ® 0.50 34.0 20.4 22 20 62 5.8 130 21l Ex. 7 Sipernat ® 0.20 32.9 21.5 17 10 84 6.1 D17

Example 22

100 g of water-absorbent polymer particles are coated with an aqueous metal salt solution according to examples 16 or 17. After coating, the product is filled into a polyethylene sample bottle (500 ml volume) and an inorganic solid material was added. The type and the amount of inorganic material are given in table 18. The content of the bottle was mixed intensely with a three-dimensional shaker-mixer (Type T2F; Willy A. Bachofen AG Maschinenfabrik; Basel; Switzerland) for 15 minutes.

The resulting coated water-absorbent polymer particles were analyzed. The results are summarized in table 18.

TABLE 18 Coating with a combination of Metal Salt and Inorganic Solid Base Type of Amount Type of Amount CRC AUHL SFC GBP Vortex Moisture Example polymer Metal Salt [wt. %] Inorganic Solid [wt. %] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [Darcies] [s] [wt. %] 22a Ex. 5 Aluminum 0.50 Aerosil ® 0.25 31.0 21.2 74 49 60 8.2 Sulfate 200 22b Ex. 5 Aluminum 0.50 Aerosil ® 0.50 31.3 20.3 55 41 59 7.9 Sulfate 200 22c Ex. 5 Aluminum 0.50 Aerosil ® 0.75 31.5 20.4 70 42 59 7.6 Sulfate 200 22d Ex. 5 Aluminum 0.75 Aerosil ® 0.25 31.2 19.8 48 41 58 8.4 Sulfate 200 22e Ex. 5 Aluminum 0.75 Aerosil ® 0.50 30.5 19.7 67 46 59 8.3 Sulfate 200 22f Ex. 5 Aluminum 0.75 Aerosil ® 0.75 30.8 19.5 57 50 58 8.3 Sulfate 200 22g Ex. 5 Aluminum 1.00 Aerosil ® 0.25 30.3 20.1 62 54 61 8.7 Sulfate 200 22h Ex. 5 Aluminum 1.00 Aerosil ® 0.50 30.3 19.9 76 50 61 8.8 Sulfate 200 22i Ex. 5 Aluminum 1.00 Aerosil ® 0.75 30.2 19.7 118 54 58 8.4 Sulfate 200 22j Ex. 7 Aluminum 0.50 Aerosil ® 0.50 32.3 19.1 47 36 54 6.9 Sulfate 200 22k Ex. 7 Aluminum 0.50 Sipernat ® 0.50 32.1 22.0 25 25 60 7.2 Sulfate 22S 22l Ex. 7 Aluminum 0.50 Aerodisp ® 0.50 31.4 19.4 33 27 62 9.5 Sulfate W1714 22m Ex. 7 Aluminum 0.50 Sipernat ® 0.50 32.2 19.7 29 21 57 6.7 Sulfate 50 22n Ex. 7 Aluminum 0.50 Sipernat ® 0.50 32.4 19.6 30 47 73 7.9 Acetate 50

Example 23

1 kg of water-absorbent polymer particles were filled into a conical fluidized bed coater (Aeromatic Verfahrenstechnische Anlagen AG; Bubendorf; Switzerland) and were fluidized with preheated air (40° C.). With a two-phase nozzle, a polyvinylamine solution (Lupamin® 9095 and Lupamin 4595, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, DE) was sprayed onto the water-absorbent polymer particles from below within 6 minutes. The amount of the solution was calculated to 0.25 wt.-% dry polymer based on water-absorbent polymer particles. The water-absorbent polymer particles were removed from the coater, sieved through an 850 μm sieve to remove possibly formed agglomerates.

The resulting water-absorbent coated polymer particles were analyzed. The results are summarized in table 19.

TABLE 19 Coating with Polyvinylamine Base Amount CRC AUHL SFC GBP Vortex Moisture Example polymer Type [wt. %] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [Darcies] [s] [wt. %] 23a Ex. 5 Lupamin ® 0.25 30.2 18.2 35 73 61 4.8 4595 23b Ex. 5 Lupamin ® 0.25 30.1 18.3 41 81 63 5.1 9095

Example 24

100 g of water-absorbent polymer particles were filled into a polyethylene sample bottle (500 ml volume) and an inorganic solid material was added. The type and the amount of inorganic material are given in table 20. Additionally, polyethylene glycol (PEG 400, Mw 400 g/mol) was added to the bottle as antidusting agent. The amount of polyethylene glycol is given in table 17, calculate in ppm (parts per million) based on the polymer particles. The content of the bottle was mixed intensely with a three-dimensional shaker-mixer (Type T2C; Willy A. Bachofen AG Maschinenfabrik; Basel; Switzerland) for 15 minutes.

The resulting water-absorbent coated polymer particles were analyzed. The results are summarized in table 20.

TABLE 20 Coating with a combination of Inorganic Solids and Antidusting Agent Base Type of Amount PEG 400 CRC AUHL SFC GBP Vortex Moisture Example polymer inorganic solid [wt.-%] Amount [ppm] [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] [Darcies] [s] [wt. %] 24a Ex. 1 Aerosil ® 0.50 300 31.0 18.7 43 38 58 5.1 200 24b Ex. 1 Aerosil ® 0.50 300 32.9 19.0 42 33 52 5.5 130 24c Ex. 1 Aerosil ® 0.50 900 31.7 18.5 47 38 54 5.2 200 24d Ex. 1 Aerosil ® 0.50 900 33.6 18.3 46 33 58 5.5 130 24e Ex. 1 Aerosil ® 0.50 1500 31.1 18.2 47 38 55 5.4 200 24f Ex. 1 Aerosil ® 0.50 1500 33.1 18.4 45 33 57 5.5 130

Example 25

Water-absorbent polymer particles prepared in example 8 were mixed with water-absorbent polymer particles prepared by solution polymerization (Hysorb® M7055; BASF SE; Ludwigshafen; Germany). Hysorb® M7055 has a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of 31.6 g/g, an absorption under high load (AUHL) of 23.3 g/g, and a saline flow conductivity of 16×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g.

The resulting water-absorbent polymer particle mixtures were analyzed. The results are summarized in table 21.

TABLE 21 Mixtures with conventional water-absorbent polymer particles ratio of inventive water-absorbent polymer particles to CRC AUHL SFC Example Hysorb ® M7055 [g/g] [g/g] [10⁻⁷ cm³s/g] 25a 1:2 32.1 22.3 12 25b 2:1 33.1 21.4 8 

The invention claimed is:
 1. Water-absorbent polymer particles prepared by polymerizing droplets of a monomer solution comprising a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer which bears acid groups and optionally is at least partly neutralized, b) at least one crosslinker, c) at least one initiator, d) optionally one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable with the monomer mentioned under a), e) optionally one or more water-soluble polymer, and f) water, in a surrounding heated gas phase and flowing the gas cocurrent through a polymerization chamber, wherein a temperature of the gas leaving the polymerization chamber is 130° C. or less, a gas velocity inside the polymerization chamber is at least 0.5 m/s, and the droplets are generated by using a droplet plate having a multitude of bores, wherein the polymer particles have a mean sphericity from 0.86 to 0.99, a bulk density of at least 0.58 g/cm³, and an average particle diameter from 250 to 550 μm, wherein a particle diameter distribution is less than 0.7 and a ratio of particles having one cavity to particles having more than one cavity is less than 1.0.
 2. Polymer particles according to claim 1, wherein the polymer particles have a bulk density from 0.7 to 1 g/cm³.
 3. Polymer particles according to claim 1, wherein the particle diameter distribution is less than 0.6.
 4. Polymer particles according to claim 1, wherein in a swollen state of the particles, the cavities have an inside diameter of at least 1 μm.
 5. Polymer particles according to claim 1, wherein the polymer particles have a centrifuge retention capacity of at least 30 g/g, an absorption under high load of at least 20 g/g, and a saline flow conductivity of at least 10×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g.
 6. Polymer particles according to claim 1, wherein the polymer particles have a centrifuge retention capacity of at least 20 g/g, an absorption under high load of at least 15 g/g, and a saline flow conductivity of at least 80×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g.
 7. Polymer particles according to claim 1, wherein the polymer particles have a centrifuge retention capacity of at least 30 g/g, an absorption under high load of at least 16 g/g, and a saline flow conductivity of at least 20×10⁻⁷ cm³s/g.
 8. Agglomerated water-absorbent polymer particles based on the water-absorbent polymer particles according to claim
 1. 9. A fluid-absorbent article, comprising an upper liquid-pervious layer, a lower liquid-impervious layer, and a fluid-absorbent core between the layer (A) and the layer (B) comprising from 5 to 90% by weight fibrous material and from 10 to 95% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles according to claim 1, an optional acquisition-distribution layer between the layer (A) and the layer (C) comprising from 80 to 100% by weight fibrous material and from 0 to 20% by weight water-absorbent polymer particles according to claim 9, and an optional tissue layer disposed immediately above and/or below the layer (C). 